LAGOS – Thousands of Nigerians took to the streets of their economic capital Lagos yesterday to protest rising fuel prices and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s policies for economic reform.
After a low-key start, the crowd swelled to a several-thousand-strong column of protesters stretched out over three kilometres through the heart of Africa’s biggest city on its way to the state government headquarters. Some of the demonstrators wore Obasanjo masks and other brandished banners demanding: “Stop implementing World Bank policies now”.Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka and rights activist Beko Ransome-Kuti were among the personalities leading the march.There was a heavy police presence around the march, but no sign that the mostly cheerful demonstrators would disobey a call from Nigeria’s chief trade union leader, Adams Oshiomhole, for a peaceful protest.Last month Obasanjo’s government said that it could no longer continue to subsidise the sale of petrol and diesel, leading to an immediate 23 per cent jump in pump prices and widespread public anger.Labour leaders have called for a national series of street rallies over the next four weeks and have threatened to call a general strike if the subsidy is not restored.- Nampa-AFPSome of the demonstrators wore Obasanjo masks and other brandished banners demanding: “Stop implementing World Bank policies now”.Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka and rights activist Beko Ransome-Kuti were among the personalities leading the march.There was a heavy police presence around the march, but no sign that the mostly cheerful demonstrators would disobey a call from Nigeria’s chief trade union leader, Adams Oshiomhole, for a peaceful protest.Last month Obasanjo’s government said that it could no longer continue to subsidise the sale of petrol and diesel, leading to an immediate 23 per cent jump in pump prices and widespread public anger.Labour leaders have called for a national series of street rallies over the next four weeks and have threatened to call a general strike if the subsidy is not restored. – Nampa-AFP
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