August 1: JAF And Partners Assert Protests Against Hunger And Poor Governance Are Not Religious Or Ethnic

August 1: JAF And Partners Assert Protests Against Hunger And Poor Governance Are Not Religious Or Ethnic

Several civil society organizations in Oyo State, including the Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All Workers Convergence, and the Centre for Popular Education, have announced that their upcoming protest, scheduled for August 1, will not be driven by religious, ethnic, or political motives……… CONTINUE READING 

At a press conference in Ibadan, JAF Coordinator Professor Ademola Aremu conveyed the groups’ strong support for the protest, which aims to address widespread hunger and shortages of essential goods. He emphasized that the peaceful demonstration is a response to the severe economic hardships facing the country.

Aremu urged anyone considering violence to refrain from participating, asserting that the protest will be strictly non-violent and free from property damage or looting. He encouraged Nigerians discontented with the current state of affairs to participate despite any intimidation tactics from the regime.

The groups’ demands include reversing anti-poor policies, reducing petrol prices to N197, reactivating public refineries, halting the importation of petroleum products, reversing electricity tariff hikes, and regionalizing the power sector under local control. They also called for the alignment of political office holders’ salaries with those of civil servants, the right for police and armed forces to join trade unions, and the provision of free education at all levels with a rollback of fee increases in public tertiary institutions.

The coalition clarified that the protest is not influenced by religious, ethnic, or political affiliations but is a response to the dire economic conditions imposed by government policies. They urged participants to join the protest and support the movement against poverty and poor governance. The coalition’s demonstration will start at 7 a.m. on August 1, 2024, at the University of Ibadan gate, with a strong call for security to ensure a peaceful event.