By Magnus Aluma, Abakaliki
Residents of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, have applauded the organised labour for a peaceful conduct of the protests held Wednesday, against anti-people policies of the Federal Government.
An Abakaliki-based human rights activist, Mr. Basil Owo told NewsBits that the peaceful and orderly conduct of the protesters who marched on major streets in Abakaliki, explains that the exercise was a popular decision of Nigeria’s entire workforce.
He described peaceful protest as a veritable instrument used by the people, to resist anti democratic and unhealthy policies of government in a pure democratic setting. His words: “peaceful protest is a constitutional right of the citizens, to call their leaders to order, if policies of such leaders tend to be inimical and against the popular interest of the people.”
In a telephone interview, a former Special Adviser on Works to then governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, Hon. Julius Eze extolled the efforts of labour leaders and organisers of the protest in the state, for not allowing the exercise to be hijacked by miscreants. He also commended the police and other security operatives in the state, for ensuring peace and order while the protest lasted.
Other people who spoke to our correspondent included Mr. Gilbert Ngele, David Ogbu and Stephen Ali said the organised labour has used the peaceful protest, to convey a message. They advised labour leaders across the country not to rest on their oars, until success is achieved.
The protest march in Abakaliki which started at about 9:47am, and took off at the popular Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, was led by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and representatives of the media.
