Protesters, led by Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to voice their concerns about the skyrocketing cost of living.
The demonstrators aimed to draw attention to the pressing issue and advocate for measures to alleviate the financial burdens faced by many Nigerians.
There were heavy security measures around the premises, particularly at the Federal Secretariat axis, to maintain order during the demonstration.
GistReel reports that there were warnings from various security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), regarding potential disruptions and violence, however, the NLC proceeded with the protest, defying calls to reconsider their actions.
Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters, Dr. Peter Afunanya, had last week emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and urged the labour organizers to prioritize peaceful means of communication with the government.
Joe Ajaero who led a number of massive protesters today told federal lawmakers at NASS Complex that Nigerians are dying daily due to hunger and high cost of living.
He decried that Nigerians are dying of hunger as a result of the economic hardship in the country, urging the Federal Government to urgently address the situation.
He said: “We thank everyone for making this happen. Today has come to pass. They said we should not be but we are here. We are here because there is hunger in the land. History will not forgive us if we do not protest at the level of hunger in the land. It is to signal to the authorities that there is a problem in the land”.
The NLC President further lamented the falling value of the Naira, growing insecurity, and rising unemployment among other issues.
He said that immediate measures must be taken to address the suffering, adding that the NLC would decide its next line of action.
