The Joint Action Front (JAF) in Ibadan on Wednesday commenced mass mobilization of Nigerians against the recent increment in the price of petroleum and electricity tariff.
DAILY POST gathered that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) recently directed its members in the South-West States to sell Petrol at N162 per litre.
Electricity tariff across the country has also been increased.
But, JAF on Wednesday announced that it has commenced mobilization of residents of Ibadan and other towns and cities in the state against the recent increments.
JAF Coordinator in Oyo State, Professor Ademola Aremu urged Nigerians to prepare to resist the increments.
Aremu who addressed journalists at the front gate of the University of Ibadan where the mobilization started noted that the mass mobilization signifies the beginning of a nationwide protest which will put all activities in the country to a standstill if their demands are not meet.
He said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has reneged on its promises to reduce the price of petroleum to N40.
Aremu, who was flanked with other activists, called on Nigerians to join the protest in a bid to resist what he described as obnoxious policies of the present administration.
He demanded the reversal of the petroleum price, reversal of electricity tariff and cancellation of stamp duty.
“Today’s mass mobilization is the third of such independent activities in the past nine years that JAF would rally nationwide resistance of Labour, CSOs and the suffering majority of Nigerians against hikes in prices of fuel and electricity.
“First, was the declaration of Mass Actions on December 20, 2011, which commenced on January 3, 2012 and culminated into the uprising of January 9 – 16, 2012.
“Second was the May 18 – 20, 2016 resistance, which was violently repressed by the Buhari regime and in which a section of the CSOs joined forces with the regime to organise a Conference at the Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja on May 23, 2016 to sanction the total removal of so-called subsidy, with the increase of petrol prices from N86.50 to N145.
“The Joint Action Front (JAF) in alliance with other pro-people civil society organisations commenced this resistance, first, with a programme of mass mobilization simultaneously, holding in Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Osogbo and Abuja.
“As we commence, we reiterate our earlier call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress to declare general strike and mass protests across the country. In this stead, we welcome the declaration by the TUC for September 23rd. While awaiting the declaration by the NLC, JAF further declares that mass mobilization shall continue till September 23rd and beyond until the working people and oppressed poor masses’ demands are met”.
