Civil societies accuse Osun NLC of betrayal as ASUU continues protest

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

The strike embarked upon by labour unions recorded partial success in Osogbo on Thursday as workers stayed away from government offices.

Public schools and courts were also closed in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress on the strike but private businesses did not join and there was the usual vehicular movement across the state.

Some civil society groups stormed the popular Olaiya Junction in continuation  of the protest against the fuel price hike which started on Wednesday.

However, the NLC chairman in the state, Mr. Jacob Adekomi and other leaders of the union refused to turn up for the rally.

Although the  fuel protest was held at the junction but it was not as vibrant as it was the first day. The road was not blocked but some of the civil society groups including  the Joint Action Front and the Non Academic Staff Union reinstated their commitment to the struggle against the new pump price of fuel.

They asked President Muhammadu Buhari to review downward the price, saying the suffering of many  Nigerians had increased because of this policy.

The Convener of JAF, Mr. Alfred Adegoke, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent accused Osun State branch of NLC of betrayal.

He said the refusal of the NLC leaders to come for the rally was tantamount to betrayal, while urging them to come back for the struggle.

Efforts to find out why the NLC chairman and other leaders did not turn up for the protest were unsuccessful as calls put across to the chairman’s telephone did not connect.

The chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Osun State wing, Mr. Wakeel Amudah, told our correspondent, that the union had directed all teachers to comply with the strike action.

He said he was satisfied with the compliance level to the strike directive, saying members of the union would continue with the strike until they were directed otherwise by the national body.

Also, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Dr. Caleb Aborisade, led members of the union to Mayfair in Ile Ife where they continued  with the fuel protest.

Students and other unions joined the protest where the union leaders continued to condemn the new policy on fuel.

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