Maritme workers under the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) have distanced themselves from the planned nationwide protest against hunger scheduled to begin August 1, 2024.
In a statement by its President-General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the union warned that it will not tolerate any invasion of ports facilities by protesters.
According to Adeyanju “As an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and a responsible Union, we always heed calls of the NLC to participate in any industrial strike or in a coordinated, lawful or orderly industrial action, which is not the case of the planned protest.”
Adeyanju in the statement through the Union’s Head of Media, John Ikemefuna, among others, said; “MWUN under the leadership of the President-General, Adeyanju, disassociates its executives, officials and entire members from the planned protest. There is no way we can be connected to the individuals responsible for the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
The union admonished members against any protest in the terminal jetties or oil and gas platforms and stay clear from hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the protests, to destroy properties, and maim the lives of innocent citizens.
Similarly, a renowned socio-political activist, Adesunbo Onitiri has expressed fears and concerns that the planned national protest might be hijacked by hoodlums and truncate Nigeria’s current democracy.
Onitiri in a statement, yesterday, in Lagos, cautioned that the security, economic and political situation in the country do not give room for any public protest but dialogue.
He explained that Nigerian democrats appreciate the feelings, hunger, pathetic security and economic situation in the country affecting every household.
Onitiri paid glowing tribute to the Nigerian youths for their patience and understanding, stressing that the Federal Government should not be blamed for the situation in the country.
He added that Nigerians should all cooperate and find solutions to their inherited problems which he noted, the government was doing its best to resolve.