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THERE was pandemonium, yesterday, at the Eagle Square, Abuja venue of National May Day celebration, organised by leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, as aggrieved workers disrupted proceedings over the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo.
The workers were infuriated that President Buhari had not attended a Workers’ Day celebration since he took over power in 2015 and had not deemed it necessary to send the Vice President to represent him.
They expressed angst that the President kept sending the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, to represent him, an official they feel could not take responsibility or make categorical statements on matters affecting workers.
How trouble started Trouble started when MMrsAbiola Bawa, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Empoyment was called to present the address of the minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, who sat at the state box with other dignitaries. At this point, the workers became restive, insisting the Minister delivered the address himself.
Efforts made to persuade the workers to allow the Permanent Secretary read the minister’s address fell on deaf ears as they started chanting: “We no go gree, we no go gree!” At this juncture, Senator Ngige stood up from the state box and ran to the podium.
Initially, there were cheers for him, but as he started to talk, the workers did not allow him, as they said he had come to make another empty promise as he did during the last May Day.
In the melee, former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, also rushed to the podium to calm the situation but the cheers that greeted his coming died down immediately he wanted to address the workers as they also resisted him.
As confusion persisted, attempts by the Police to clear the podium were also resisted by workers, who started throwing empty water cans to the podium.
Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, was immediately whisked away by security operatives through the exit door of the state box, followed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
As soon as the dignitaries were spirited out of the venue, many unions left the venue without the traditional march-past.
However, a few unions that were left observed the march-past without any government official taking salute.
SOURCE: VANGUARD