The Organised Labour in Ondo on Wednesday joined their counterparts nationwide to demand the “immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies” by President Bola Tinubu.

The protest, led by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), lamented the hardship Nigerian face due to the increment in petrol prices.

Armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, the labour movement in the state marched on the street to the governor’s office in Akure to register their displeasure and grievances.

Peoples Gazette reports that armed police officers led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Muhammad Rabiu guided the labour unions as they poured onto the street to register their displeasure with the government’s policies.

Victor Amoko, the Ondo NLC chairman, lamented how the increase in fuel price occasioned by the subsidy removal had affected the Nigerian workers.

“We are calling for the reversal of all anti-poor policies of the government, including recent hikes in PMS prices, school fees and VAT. We want all our local refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to be fixed,” he stated while reading out the position of the union’s national body during the demonstration.

Mr Amoko asked Mr Tinubu to reduce the governance cost to cushion the fuel subsidy removal effects on the Nigerian masses.

Stating that workers, particularly civil servants, had continued to bear the hardship, he said it was time the government paid the eight months’ salaries owed to university lecturers.

“It’s like suffering and smiling,” said Mr Amoko. “We reject the plans by the National Assembly to spend N70 billion when Nigerian masses are facing hardship. The government should be sensitive to the plight of our people.”

His counterpart in the TUC, Clement Fatuase, noted that the government had failed the Nigerian masses with inhuman policies.

Mr Fatuase said the Tinubu-led government should allow the “poor to breathe”, adding that the people will no longer tolerate the hardship in the country.

“This is a warning signal that if they are determined to make life difficult for us. We are going to resist it even with the last drop of blood in our bodies,” Mr Fatuase said.

He, however, advised the government to quickly implement people-centred agreements reached with organised labour unions to avoid further a total showdown on the country’s economy.

Dare Aragbiaye, the special adviser on union matters and special duties to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who addressed the protesters on behalf of the state government, assured that Mr Tinubu would address the unions’ demands.

Mr Aragbiaye said the authority was already aware of the plights and demands of the workers, stressing that no government would object to the various demands considering the economic implications.

He, however, commended the labour unions for demonstrating peacefully on the street and articulating their position without rancour.