MAY DAY RALLY TURNED PROTEST

photo: aitonline.tv

On Monday, it was reported that government dignitaries fled the Eagle Square venue during the May Day rally in Abuja, some of the dignitaries are the: Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita. This followed the mayhem that arose from a protest by workers.

The rally, which was organised by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress, turned disorderly and violent as workers interrupted reports over the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The workers objected the continued absence of both Buhari and Osinbajo from Workers’ Day celebrations since 2015, when he came into power.

They argued that the President, Muhammadu Buhari should have at least sent his vice – Prof Yemi Osinbajo to represent him, in commemorating the National Workers’ Day.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the rally by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, After the departure of the dignitaries following the refusal of the workers to allow proceedings to continue, the few labour unions that took part in the march past had no dignitary present to take the salute.