Sowore Calls On Nigerian Youths To Protest Fuel Price Hike, Recalls Past Labour Leader Oshiomhole’s ‘Betrayal’ In 1993
He lamented that despite that the price of the product was moving towards N1,000 while the national minimum wage stood at N30,000, Tinubu’s government is proposing to spend $100 million on a private jet.
#RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians, especially youths to rise against the hike in the price of petrol.
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress said a massive protest against the hike can be done against like it was done by youths in 1993, which he was involved in as a student.
After the removal of subsidy on petrol was announced by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, rose significantly from approximately N185 to over N600.
This increase has had a ripple effect, leading to higher transportation costs and prices of goods and services, resulting in a sharp increase in inflation.
He lamented that despite that the price of the product was moving towards N1,000 while the national minimum wage stood at N30,000, Tinubu’s government is proposing to spend $100 million on a private jet.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the activist said, “In 1993, as students, we went to war against the military because they increased petrol (gasoline) price to N3.25k; it was unacceptable then, and Nigerian students fought hard against the economically ruinous World Bank and IMF-inspired policies under the guise of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP).
“Today, the petrol price is almost N1000 with a minimum wage of N30,000, but the priority of the @officialABAT is the Presidential Jet valued at $100M.
“It is important to note that the Nigeria Labour Congress @NLCHeadquarters betrayed Nigerians in 1993; one of the key labour leaders then was Adams Oshiomhole, yes, the same Senator @aoshiomhole.
“Let the youths/people of Nigeria rise up and fight! It can be done again, bigger and better! #RevolutionNow.”
He recalled the fervent protests of 1993, when students took a stand against a petrol price hike to N3.25.
The increase was seen as part of the economically damaging policies imposed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) which Nigerian students vehemently resisted.
He also pointed out the historical betrayal by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in 1993, noting that key figures like Adams Oshiomhole, now a senator, played roles that undermined the struggle.
Sowore posted a copy of a newspaper publication of Tuesday, November 30, 1993, in which he recounted his ordeal at the hands of security operatives during his time as a student union leader.
He said, “When they came that morning, they first arrested some of our students, and when I came forward to ask for their release some SSS men just sprang from nowhere and squeezed me into a waiting car.
“The arrest was more of an abduction. It was barbaric. I was virtually kidnapped by the SSS men. They said they were asked to get me dead or alive. I was driven straight to Ikeja, the office of a Deputy Commissioner (Administration), one Mr. Adoye.
“When I was brought before him, he asked what we were protesting for, and I replied that we had the right to protest the ills of the society. I then queried the use of live bullets by policemen that morning.
“He unrepentantly said they had to defend themselves. At that point I was furious, and told him to his face that they (police) should therefore expect the worst from us (students).
“He immediately lost his cool, got up from his seat and slapped me twice. He then ordered that I be detained without contacts. I was handcuffed and bundled into a waiting car and we drove off.
“They headed for Shangisha, on the outskirts of Lagos. I was there for about 13 minutes before I was returned to Lagos. While at Shangisha, they asked for all I had on me. We were four in the car, two officers and the driver for the trip to 15 Awolowo Road Ikoyi (SSS headquarters).
“At a point they wanted me to advise the government on fuel price, but I told them that since there was no legitimate government in place there was no point advising them, but to ask them to leave. During the chat they denied what the police told me that they (SSS) shot students. They (SSS) said it was the police that shot students. I just looked at them as dishonourable men.
“At the end of the day (at 6.30 p.m. exactly) I was taken to Ikoyi and detained at the State House annexe police cell where I learnt late Major Orkar and some of his men were detained The place is around Dodan Barracks second gate.
“It is a room cell. We were two in the place in company of one Fred Udengwe who claimed he had been kept there for about 21 days without interrogation. The guy according to him, is a clearing and forwarding agent.”
He continued, “At about 7:50 pm that Monday (day of my release) I was asked to get my things. Initially I thought they were taking me to Abuja. I was taken back to the SSS headquarters and asked to wait.
“During the interval, some officers gave instruction for the removal of the police from our gate. I was later taken by one of the SSS guys to Adekunle where he dropped me as about 9 p.m.
“Before I was released, my kidnappers asked me if I can guarantee peace on campus, but I told them that as long as we have corrupt and illegitimate people at the helm of affairs, we (students) will not relent in our fight.”
“I must hasten to say here that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) leadership is one big problem we have in this country see the way they sold out. They pretended as if they were negotiating when they had already agreed with government fix petrol at N3.25k.
“The strike was staged to deceive us. Bafyau and Oshiomole are conspirators. It was all programmed. They staged everything.
“One day we will surprise the government. Sincerely we have a lethal day with this illegitimate government, and mark me it will be bloody. We will take vengeance and ensure justice, fair play and the removal of all agents of doom,” he added.
