Text of the press conference addressed by the Oyo state civil society organizations in Ibadan

30th July, 2024

TEXT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE OYO STATE COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN IBADAN ON TUESDAY, 30TH JULY 2024 TO DECLARE SUPPORT FOR THE AUGUST 1ST – 10TH PEACEFUL PROTEST AND TO AGREE ON ACTIVITIES TO ENGAGE OTHER NIGERIANS SUPPORTING THE PROTEST!

Introduction
A meeting of coalition of civil society and pro-students’ organizations in Oyo State was held on Sunday 28th July, 2024 to discuss the looming protest against hunger and hardship reportedly scheduled to commence from 1st of August to 10th August 2024. The meeting agreed to form a coalition to support the call for the nationwide protest against hardship and hunger which are the unfortunate prevailing feature of our society today.

Support for the August 1st Protest
The coalition is hereby organising this press conference today Tuesday, 30th July, 2024 to officially declare its total support for the protest against hardship and to publicly announce an independent protest to commence the process of engaging every other Nigerians supporting the call for the protest with a view to building a broader base for the movement to end poverty and misery, especially bad governance occasioned by various anti-poor neo-liberal policies of the Nigeria capitalist government.

Please note the following:
1. The coalition wholeheartedly support the protest against hunger and hardship. This is despite the fact that none of the constituent organization in the coalition was involved in the call for the protest. The coalition therefore, notes that the prevailing condition of mass misery and poverty amidst abundant wealth largely occasioned by various anti-poor capitalist policies of the Nigeria government is more than enough and a sufficient justification for a call for the protest.

2. The coalition planned independent activities to support the hunger protest is a peaceful protest. We warn persons or groups with intention for violence to stay off the peaceful action as there will be no room for looting, destruction of property or any form of violence in our protest. We hereby inform the general public that this protest is not based on religion , ethnicity or political party affiliations but to demand for a better Nigeria.

3. The coalition hereby enjoins all Nigerian working people and youths who are fed up with the situation of the country, not to be intimidated by the scare antics of the regime. Rather they should join the protest and identify with every other activities organized by the coalition to support the protest.

4. As much as the coalition is committed to a peaceful protest, it holds that it is not the responsibility of the prospective protesters but that of the Nigerian government and the security agencies to assure the general public that the protest will not degenerate into violence. The few previous violent-turn of peaceful protest were instigated by the Nigerian government either through the security agencies or hired political thugs to create a basis and justification for state repression. The obvious lack of serious commitment on the side of the Nigerian government and its security agencies to end the increasing scale of violence, kidnapping and killing of citizens bedeviling the country today shows that all of the propaganda around a possible violence-turn of the looming protest is just an attempt to criminalize the protest.

5. The coalition warns against any form of state repression and provocation but urges all relevant security apparatus in the state for an adequate security coverage and support. Given the fact that the call for the protest was not initiated by the coalition, we note the possibility that other groups who are not members of the coalition may also be planning to organize actions across the state. It is in the light of this, we will like to state that the convergence and take-off point for the coalition planned action on the 1st of August, 2024 shall be the frontage of University of Ibadan, UI gate by 7am

6. The constituent organizations and groups are hereby urged to begin mobilization of their members and all Nigerians suffering under the yoke of the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu administration to strengthen the coalition support for the protest against hardship and hunger.

Conclusion
7. Once again, we reiterate that the coalition planned protest does not have any religious, ethnic or political undertone as the political class would want the people to believe. The increasing hunger and intense hardship in the land do not have any of these colouration. Be guided by the reality of poverty and hopelessness that this government has subjected its people to for no just reason at all.

Our Demands

(a) Immediate reversal of all of the anti-poor policies specifically the pump price of petrol to N197

(b) Immediate repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products

(c )Immediate reversal of the decision to hike the electricity Traff

(d) Renationalisation of the power sector under the control and management of the elected representatives of the working people

(e) Political office holders should be placed on the salary and allowance earned by the civil servants

(f ) Nigeria Police and armed forces must be *accorded* the right to form and belong to trade union for adequate defense of their economic rights

(g) Free education at all levels as constitutionally guaranteed and reversal of current regime of fee hike across the Nigeria public tertiary institutions

(h) A national minimum living wage which is constitutionally guaranteed, which rises as inflation rises

(i) The National Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC) should convene a joint National Executive Committee meeting to declare a 48hours nationwide strike and street protest to support the hunger protest

A people united can never be defeated.
Amandhla! Awethu!

Signed.

Joint Action Front (JAF)

Socialist Labour

All workers’ convergence

Centre for Popular Education (CEPED)

CSATF

NATA/ITESIWAJU OYO

PAM