By Our Reporters
ABUJA—The Senate, yesterday, joined the House of Representatives in asking President Goodluck Jonathan to revert fuel pump price to N65 per litre. In a closed door session, the senators urged the Senate President, Senator David Mark to convey the message of the upper chamber to President Jonathan within 24 hours.

This came as the nationwide protest called by the organised labour against the removal of subsidy on petrol which commenced on Monday was hijacked on its second day by hoodlums in Ogun, Kaduna, Oyo and Edo states even as the Nigeria Labour Congress vowed that the protests will continue indefinitely until the Federal Government reverts the pump price of petrol to N65.

The Federal Government also yesterday declared that it was still ready for dialogue with organised labour, saying that “the option of dialogue is still open”, as it cautioned the security agencies against the use of force against protesters.

In Abeokuta, miscreants yesterday hijacked the protest rally held in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital against the removal of fuel subsidy and allegedly molested and extorted money from people in the state capital.


A Protester at Agidingbi Road Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.
The Police commissioner in the state, Nicholas Nkedeme was not spared by the hoodlums who barricaded various places within the metropolis when his cars were stopped, while some policemen escaped being lynched by the angry mob. The lucky policemen were said to had been stopped by some protesters along Abiola way and attempted to descend on them before the Area commander identified as Oyekunle Adegboyega pleaded with them before the mob allowed them to go. The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi while commenting on the activities of the miscreants, during a radio programme,said, ‘even the police commissioner was stopped , but until we pleaded with them before we were allowed to pass” .

“So the agitators should be reasonable and objective in their protests. Those who are violent, I think the law will take its course on them. “Obstruction of traffic like that is out of the context.” In a similar development, there was a heavy bonfire few metres away from the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s corporate office in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital. The Office located along Quarry Road, Ibara and tagged Agbeloba House is the headquarters of the Obasanjo Farms Holding (OBH) Limited. Youths made bonfires with used tyres and some woods to make the busy road, about 200 metres and which is also about 1000 metres from the family house of the Ogun state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun impassable.

Curfew imposed in Oyo, Kaduna

It was a similar story in Kaduna as miscreants attempted to hijack the peaceful protests and clashed with the security forces which led to the killing of a 23-year-old Abdulgafar Mohammed Hadis.

An eye witness told newsmen that Hadis was shot on the head at Enugu Road, Old Panteka as youths went on rampage to condemn the increase in petrol price.

According to him, the deceased was rushed to Biba Hospital, Tudun Wada, from where he was later referred to 44 Army Reference Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

“While the soldiers were asking the protesters to calm down, near the Government House, the policemen came and started firing tear gas cannisters at them. Shortly after this, they started shooting at us with live bullets. One of their bullets hit the young Hadis on his head. The boys wanted to get to Government House and protest”.

There was tension in the state in the evening as Air Force and police helicopters hovered all over the metropolis following false rumours that Muslim youths were attacking Christians in some parts of the town.

Former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) coordinated the protest. At the Waff Road, hundreds of youths however threw stones at police patrol vans and motorcycles, destroying their head lamps in some cases just as the police responded by throwing cannisters of tear gas at them just as some of them shot into the air to disperse them.

The demonstrators were occasionally supplied with bread and sachet water which were brought to them in Jeeps without number plates.

The same situation was reported within a radius of 500m from the Sir Ibrahim Kashim Government House, Kaduna before they were ordered to return to the Luggard Hall Round About which is the only place earmarked for the protests.

A statement issued by Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Bala M. Nasarawa said

“We have realised that the strike over the removal of subsidy has been hijacked by persons other than those committed to the cause. The demonstration which began yesterday peacefully, today turned violent. People were harassed, intimidated, and installations vandalised. In view of this unfortunate situations, the Kaduna state security council has no choice than to impose a 24 hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis and its environs wit effect from 9pm today (Tuesday) 10th January 2012. This measure becomes imperative in order to safeguard lives and property of innocent citizens. Government is urging all citizens of the state to remain calm, lawful and stay at home until further notice.

…Also in Oyo

Also in Oyo State, the state government resolved to impose curfew when the protests were getting out of hand. The curfew which was declared yesterday was imposed on the state from 7pm to 7am.

The Secretary to the State government, Alhaji Akin Olajide in a statement said the curfew was with immediate effect. According to the statement, the curfew became necessary to protect the security and lives of the people of the state.

The government noted that some hoodlums and miscreants, under the sponsorship of some politicians, had been hiding under the present anti-fuel subsidy removal protest to threaten the security of the state, especially at night.

On the first day of the strike, some of the government property in Ibadan North West Local Government were destroyed by some miscreants who mixed with protesters.

To checkmate destruction of property and protect lives, the government explained it had to declare the curfew.

It noted further that government had instructed security agencies in the state to apprehend and prosecute anyone who contravened the curfew.

“While the government appreciates the rights of the citizens to protest, the protection of lives and property of citizens is imperative,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, some protesters numbering about 2,500 yesterday forced a popular radio broadcaster in Oyo state, Kola Adegoke to join them in the protest.

Kola Ladoke who broadcasts for Splash FM, was held hostage at Olomi area of the city.

He said, “Some of them said that if they delay me and prevented me from being heard on my radio programme, it will go a long way to tell the government how embittered they are to the oil subsidy removed from petroleum products.

The protests in Ibadan were more serious than the first day of the strike.

Unlike the Monday when some commuters could still meander and take alternative road, all roads including the local ones were barricaded yesterday.

At Eleyele, a water tanker of the Nigerian Army was delayed for some irate youth who were playing football on the major road.

The driver of the truck had to plead with them before they allowed him to pass.

Most of the roads were deserted and blocked by the youth. Some commercial motorcyclists popularly called okada riders were turned back.

Police go tough in Edo

Also the Edo State Police Command has directed all police officers of the command to deal decisively with any body found to be blocking the roads, making bonfires and attacking innocent and law abiding citizens of the state.

In a statement personally signed by the state commissioner of police, David Omojola, he said the directive was to give full effect to the stay at home directive issued by the state councils Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), adding that it was to check further deterioration of the security situation in the state.

He warned parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards to be used to foment trouble, as any caught in the act will be treated as a common criminal and dealt with appropriately.

The statement regretted that Monday protest in the state witnessed violence, looting, arson and attacks on persons, which were not in consonance with the Labour movement.

Protests to continue indefinitely —Omar

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Abudulwaheed Omar yesterday declared the protest would be sustained and continue until the federal government reversed the pump price of petrol to N65 per litre.

He spoke at a rally held at the AP Plaza/Chicken House Junction along Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II of the federal capital.

The decision to halt the procession at that point did not go down well with many of the protesters, especially the youths among them as they insisted that they must march on the Eagle Square.

Omar’s address was interrupted several times by youths chanting “Eagle Square”, while others chanted that they must march straight on Aso Rock Villa and chase away President Goodkuck Jonathan from office.

“We have superiors as I heard you asking us to proceed to the Eagle Square, we must make sure we follow instructions and procedures, you have fulfilled your own part by bringing more people today.

“We will continue to come out everyday until government reverts this obnoxious price back to N65 per litre. They have been calling us to call off this strike but we will do that under only one condition, which is to revert to N65. This strike has recorded a huge success as international radi stations have been broadcasting to the world”, Omar said.

The President General of the TUC, Com Peter Esele also tried hard to dissuade the protesters from marching on Eagle Square.

His words: “Let me ask you a question, our marching out to Eagle Square will it make any difference?

“Another question, did anybody contribute money for this rally? Did we give any of you money to come here? We are here because of the increase in N65 per litre of fuel,  This is the only thing in Nigeria that two presidents are presiding over two protests.

“As we protest, it is our responsibility to ensure that no life is lost and if we even march to President Jonathan, it will not make any difference. Yesterday we counted over 20,000 protesters but today [Tuesday], we have recorded over 40,000 protesters and by tomorrow you will bring 100,000 protesters do you promise? “Yes, protesters chorused”. You are our source of inspiration and we are drawing strength from you”.

The protesters who started out at the popular Berger Junction sailed through Herbert Macauley Way, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Aminu Kano Crescent to Ibrahim Babangida Way to arrive at the rally venue which was the same point where NLC and other labour leaders addressed the protesters on the first day.

Numbering several thousands, the protesters generally conducted themselves peacefully. They were escorted by 12 civilian Power Bike Outriders, heavily armed security officers in mufti and four pick-up vans fully loaded with stern-looking soldiers.

FG cautions security agencies against use of force

Federal Government yesterday warned security agencies in the country to be professional and exercise utmost restraint on the on-going protests

The Minister of Youth Development and Acting Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi observed that the excessive use of force by some security agents which has led to the death of few young Nigerians and caused injuries to some others is very unfortunate and regrettable.

In a statement signed in Abuja by the Special Assistant to the minister on media, Julius Ogunro, the minister noted that the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy therefore the Police and other security agents have a responsibility to protect this right.

Oil workers threaten to shut upstream production

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday threatened to shut down the upstream sector of the oil industry should President Jonathan continue to pay deaf ears to the cries of Nigerians.

This came as Labour accused the Presidency of importing former militants and other armed thugs from neighbouring states into Abuja under the banner of “PDP Transformation Movement”, attack and main anti-subsidy removal protesters, declaring that labour had concluded plans to report President Jonathan and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Affiz Ringim to the International Criminal Court, ICC, for the Monday killing of armeless protesters in the country.

Labour and Civil Society Coalition, LASCO, umbrella body for Labour and its civil society allies that is coordinating the strike and mass protest, warned that from today, the ongoing strike and mass action would take a new dimension if government refused to address Nigerians’ demand.

Fuel subsidy strike: Dialogue window still open—FG

THE Federal Government yesterday declared that it is still ready for a dialogue with organised labour over industrial face-off following the removal of fuel subsidy by the government, saying that “the option of dialogue is still open”.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, who spoke to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, in Aso Rock, said “I think each side is exploring the need to talk”.

He said: “When I said that the option of dialogue is till open, it implied that we are exploring that option and labour is equally that option. I don’t believe in putting one as a senior partner and the other as a junior partner. In this issue, there are three senior partners within the doctrine and principle of tripartism; the NLC/TUC on one side representing the trade union, government on one side because it could be government at the federal level or state. Then the employers consultative association, NECA”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/revert-to-n65-senate-tells-jonathan/

can someone kindly tell the retardeen that the people have spoken. Revert first and lets negotiate.

If he doesnt do it before Friday, impeachment proceedings will begin on Monday next week.

Everyone calling for the urgent need for the impeachment of the president, as a compromise , how many of you have recalled you House of Reps and Senators? You guys think it's all that easy to impeach the president? You will spend all year in the politics of trying to impeach him, besides, do you honestly think GEJ will not spill the beans? Let's be watching and see the outcome because everyone knows that Senate is as guilty as the CABALS. The ONLY reason why Senate has mouth now is because protesters haven't focused on their expenditures, the moment people focus on them, you will see how easily they will balk, Who wants their money removed ?

The senators can obviously see the way the wind is blowing. If you try and oppose the will of the people, the people will roll over you.

After this subsidy matter is settled, we'll deal with the issue of their jumbo allowances.

Sumtin just av to b done am tired of all dis rubbish .

well at this point, he has no choice, Mark being his boy or not, its not a decision made by him alone. its a unified voice from the house

manny4life:

Everyone calling for the urgent need for the impeachment of the president, as a compromise , how many of you have recalled you House of Reps and Senators? You guys think it's all that easy to impeach the president? You will spend all year in the politics of trying to impeach him, [b]besides, do you honestly think GEJ will not spill the beans? Let's be watching and see the outcome because everyone knows that Senate is as guilty as the CABALS. [/b]The ONLY reason why Senate has mouth now is because protesters haven't focused on their expenditures, the moment people focus on them, you will see how easily they will balk, Who wants their money removed ?

Exactly what we want to be honest. if by threatening him with impeachment alone will facilitate all these since he has refused to do the right thing voluntarily then its a welkom development. its just a matter of time, if this strikes and protests continues, the people will definately consider this demand has a neccessary step.
The retardeen is in deepshit.
By the waythe protesters are also complaining about the massive salaries at the NASS

GEJ has been hung out to dry by the entire legislative arm of Governance. Those who are politically astute will know the meaning of what we are seeing. The Legislators are , without doubt, the direct representatives of the people in the system of Governance we practice. Disregard them and you disregard the people. It really is as simple as that. GEJ fans should shut up for once and accept that the majority have delivered their verdict . Fuel subsidy removal will be reversed or GEJ will burn and crash with this as focus moves towards how he is reluctant to remove the subsidy him and a few enjoy while insisting fuel subsidy , benefitting 160 million Nigerians, must go. Our Senators and reps may only be concerned with self-preservation but GEJ must open his eyes to note that this is a battle, in the pro-people twitter and facebook age, he cannot win.

badluck jonathan fast solution b4 it turn to War

I keep on inssisting, my distrust and dislike of his administration nothwithstanding, that the impeachment of GEJ at this point will serve no useful purpose. Not least because the possible replacemnts are unlikely to fare any better.

Impeachment of the entire PDP is a more appealing, albeit not feasible, proposal.

make we just manage GEJ till 2015.

AS for the move by the Senate, lets face it: anything to deflect heat away from themselves and thier violation of our treasury will be on the table--even if it means taking the executive head on. I commend them all the same.

^^
Commend ke! They are the rea trouble. They overbloated the recurrent expediture going home with more than N40million monthly as personal cost not even mentioning runing cost

I watch a house proceeding in dismay where they want their monthly take home jacked to N50MILLION because they said the senate president was taking over N60M.

Let there be 3 assembly members and 1 senators from each state. This is what we should all protest against next. This is the only way we can salvage our dear country.

manny4life:

Everyone calling for the urgent need for the impeachment of the president, as a compromise , how many of you have recalled you House of Reps and Senators? You guys think it's all that easy to impeach the president? You will spend all year in the politics of trying to impeach him, besides, do you honestly think GEJ will not spill the beans? Let's be watching and see the outcome because everyone knows that Senate is as guilty as the CABALS. The ONLY reason why Senate has mouth now is because protesters haven't focused on their expenditures, the moment people focus on them, you will see how easily they will balk, Who wants their money removed ?

Maybe they think to impeach the president  is moi moi.

Nothing will happen on Monday
Impeach GJE and Nigeria will split

Which kind people these guys be self?

How can they say we should revert back to 65/liter, have they considered the implications of this action if carried out?

Now that the so called cabal are almost exposed, they will do everything within their power to maximize gain before the subsidy is eventually removed. Nigerians will suffer for it because they will divert all their products before next year's budget.

As long as GEJ is there, subsidy will eventually go whether we like it or not. GEJ cannot be impeached cos it will cause another chaos.

So why don't we swallow the hard and bitter pill now and see if the govt will fulfil its promises.

Above all these, i have few questions for GEJ:
1. Why didn't he tell us this during his campaign?
2. This must have been in his plan all this while, so why didn't he put some infrastructure in place before the implementation?
3. How is he planning to handle corruption especially within the civil service with prices of all stuff gone up?

Bros, the situation is very complex and i do not envy GEJ at this moment at all but he has my prayers.

Gbawe:

GEJ has been hung out to dry by the entire legislative arm of Governance. Those who are politically astute will know the meaning of what we are seeing. The Legislators are , without doubt, the direct representatives of the people in the system of Governance we practice. Disregard them and you disregard the people. It really is as simple as that. GEJ fans should shut up for once and accept that the majority have delivered their verdict . Fuel subsidy removal will be reversed or GEJ will burn and crash with this as focus moves towards how he is reluctant to remove the subsidy him and a few enjoy while insisting fuel subsidy , benefitting 160 million Nigerians, must go. Our Senators and reps may only be concerned with self-preservation but GEJ must open his eyes to note that this is a battle, in the pro-people twitter and facebook age, he cannot win.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!

But in a country that is being governed by a constitution: only the constitution can determine the GEJ's response to the conclusion of the NASS

ITS A PITY, i am being impeded by my lack of knowledge of the constitution as regards " resolution from the national assembly and the presidents consent"

, i wish i can get a clue as to what the constitution has to say on this, then a 1000-word essay by my pen would not be enough to describe GEJ's arrogance and stupidity,

The existence of the subsidy does not stop deregulation neither will its removal bring about deregulation if the country do not have a functional and structural frame work for it. Deregulation is achieved more by the stipulations of the liscenses given to the private partners. How can the government deregulate the sector where the partners involved also have oil lifting(importing)liscense too. If it were to be you would you accept to building refineries than importing the products and get your gain instantly

Maybe they think to impeach the president  is moi moi.[/left][/tEveryone calling for the urgent need for the impeachment of the president, as a compromise , how many of you have recalled you House [/b] of Reps and Senators?    You guys think it's all that easy to impeach the president? You will spend all year in the politics of trying to impeach him, besides, do you honestly think GEJ will not spill the beans? Let's be watching and see the outcome because everyone knows that Senate is as guilty as the CABALS. The ONLY reason why Senate has mouth now is because protesters haven't focused on their expenditures, the moment people focus on them, you will see how easily they will balk, Who wants their money removed ?  

Maybe they think to impeach the president  is moi moi.r][tr][/tr]

[b]i agree with you surely. How can the kettle be calling pot black. Are the Senator better. Let him that is without sin throw the firstm stone.[/b]

iykak47:

Maybe they think to impeach the president  is moi moi.

You people really amaze me with how you don't understand that the "Nigerian way" has indoctrinated you to the point you are virtually blind !!! What the hell are you telling us here ? Ghadaffi paid with his life for f.uc.k sake !!!!! We are in an age where the people demand and the people get !!!!

Years of dictatorship has simply bastardized the thinking of some Nigerians to the extent they don't see how the world, including our own dear Nigeria, is changing. If the people want GEJ gone , he will go and the legislators will impeach him even if only to save their own skin. Power resides permanently in the people and it is time folks like you stop talking otherwise. There is no 'superman' strenght in the Presidency beyond that the people confer in it as an office to serve us.

Kai @ Muyoto.

Impeachment is the only solution. You and beaf boss is clueless,incompetent,retardeen, most of all, he is the renew  symbol of embezzlement. No negotiation needed he must go but not only him including anyone that serve in his government and some corruptible pass administration also should be arrested and face justice. After his fall Beaf and co in Nairaland should be demoted. That's the exactly what people are saying bro enough is enough. This is no longer a joke.

i think jonathan is trying to put on the uniform and attitude of niger-delta militancy in the position he is , let him no forget what happened to gadafi, and mubarak , i pity this guy , the way i see things now , if no reverted , Nigeria is going to war next week,


and for the guys Book your weapon from me now. Niger-Delta will back this guy up.


and to Jonathan

Its time u back off before you are put to shame ! as in resign with Rest In Pieces.

He needs to pay heed to this.

[img]http://s01.flagcounter.com/count/7uR/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=FFFFFF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/pageviews=0[/img][img]http://2.s01.flagcounter.com/count/7uR/bg=FFFFFF/txt=FFFFFF/border=FFFFFF/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/pageviews=0[/img]

Gbawe:

You people really amaze me with how you don't understand that the "Nigerian way" has indoctrinated you to the point you are virtually blind !!! What the hell are you telling us here ? Ghadaffi paid with his life for f.uc.k sake !!!!! We are in an age where the people [b]demand and the people get !!!! [/b]

Years of dictatorship has simply bastardized the thinking of some Nigerians to the extent they don't see how the world, including our own dear Nigeria, is changing. If the people want GEJ gone , he will go and the legislators will impeach him even if only to save their own skin. Power resides permanently in the people and it is time folks like you stop talking otherwise. There is no 'superman' strenght in the Presidency beyond that the people confer in it as an office to serve us.

no need getting emotional.libya is not nigeria.there are too many complexities about nigeria.the critical mass of nigerians are not yet sosphisticated.you know this.

jmaine:

To you all dancing and lifting the NASS members to the high heavens . .even claiming they are on the side of the masses     . . I pity your supposed occupy Nigeria cos it's dead already . . .occupy my Bottom . .when the main pinnacle of corruption in the NASS are given the high thumbs for playing to the gallery . . .

They are just exercising shyte powers, and like i said earlier, the clash between the FG and the NASS on this issue would antagonize their looting expedition . . cos they would check each other excesses . . or either reach a compromise stealthily . .

If the NASS mute impeachment . . then the real chaos unheard of shall visit them . .they know better. . .they are just playing cheap politics to avert the interest of the masses to call for their heads

My guy we are not fools here !!!! You think we don't understand that  a senate headed by David Mark is doing this to forestall attention moving onto their own jumbo package Sanusi insists is around 25% of the budget? Nonetheless, who will you blame for the opportunism of our legislators other than the President who passed up several opportunity to get Nigerians on his side?

If they now throw GEJ under the bus, what is your grief about considering GEJ sought to protect the interest of these same people with his "leaner Government not possible" stance While Amosun simply wrote the legistators in his State to secure "leaner Government".

I don't understand fans of GEJ such as yourself. You see everything others do wrong , and indeed comment on that, but you fail to acknowledge the actions/inactions of GEJ that has gotten him where he is today. For how things have changed worldwide, a Nigerian President who will be successful must seek to get Nigerians on his side ASAP because of the evil in our political system.

It is ordinary Nigerians GEJ should seek to impress yet me and you saw from day one how he has always courted and empowered"strong men" i.e the governors, Danjuma, Gusau, IBB, OBJ, Anenih, Haliru Bello et al. If GEJ is a good student of modern history, he will note that events worldwide, in a social networking age, means that leaders must do everything not to 'lose' the people.

Do you think Nigeria can exist , in a vacuum, oblivious to social changes worldwide? GEJ has not made one pro-people concession to date. If he is made the sacrificial lamb by the elitist system he is helping to sustain and prop up then that is poetic justice for a leader who never believed in courting the support of those who matter i.e ordinary Nigerians.

^^^^

It is ordinary Nigerians GEJ should seek to impress yet me and you see from day one how he has always courted "strong men" i.e the governors, Danjuma, OBJ, Anenih, Haliru Bello et al. If GEJ is a good student of modern history, he will note that events worldwide, in a social networking age, means that leaders must do everything not to 'lose' the people.

the foolish man thought social networking etal is about ghostwritten facebook posts

asha 80:

no need getting emotional.libya is not nigeria.there are too many complexities about nigeria.the critical mass of nigerians are not yet sosphisticated.you know this.

No one is getting emotional and that much will become obvious to you very soon. There is no justification whatsoever for anyone to speak in defense of the wickedness going on. We are all Nigerians and know how hideously 'subsidized' ou leaders are. GEJ now callously wants to abrogate fuel subsidy for 160 million when we know largesse of office subsidy him and a few enjoy is far more than what they wish to take away from the vast majority of Nigerians.

They bankrupted this nation with an "operation totality" effort to secure the offices that control our commonwealth. All ruinous hands and AGIPs were on board for that ambition. Now , even if not politically sophisticated, it is obvious Nigerians will not stand for it because this level of anti-people conduct is not even near what some leaders have paid a heavy price for worldwide.

The tidings are welcome.

umechuma:

Nothing will happen on Monday
Impeach GJE and Nigeria will split

What if we just kill him