NIGERIANS and security chiefs who had been apprehensive of a possible outbreak of violence across the country yesterday, were treated to a pleasant surprise.
Save for the arrest of three civil society activists in Lagos State and the alleged assault of one person each in Delta and Ondo states by law enforcement agents, this year’s May Day celebration in Nigeria yesterday was remarkably peaceful.
As instructed by the Police authorities, Labour leaders as well as opposition politicians restricted their activities to approved places, thus leaving no room for a possible clash with law enforcement agents.
The opposition parties and civil society groups had fixed yesterday for the start of a planned nation-wide protest against the recent general elections, which both local and international observers have described as a shame.
With the Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, threatening “maximum force” against the protesters citing the public order Act, and the civil society declaring the law moribund and threatening to press ahead with the action, the stage seemed set, on Monday, for a showdown yesterday.
But that was not to be.
Nonetheless, security operatives arrested some activists in Lagos State, while former military ruler, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), issued a press statement urging Nigerians to resist the generally acknowledged flawed election results.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the May Day rally in Abuja, expressed support for the widespread condemnation of the election results and disclosed that it was in consultation with other civil society groups on how best to address the discontent.
The NLC also demanded pay rise for workers and decried the stoppage of a 15 per cent increment earlier approved by the Federal Government.
Security was tightened yesterday across the country, a move aimed at caging the workers and civil rights groups.
Many states witnessed peaceful May Day celebrations, as workers used the opportunity to stay together with their families, friends and well-wishers.
Despite the peaceful atmosphere, security agencies of the police, military and State Security Services (SSS) were moving round streets to forestall any form of protest.
In Lagos, the state Police Commissioner, Bashiru Azeez, directed all divisional police officers to ensure peace in their areas.
The state Police spokesman Superintendent Olubode Ojajuni, told The Guardian that there was no form of protest while security operatives were deployed to the various black-spots to check any form of demonstration.
Also, from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, reports monitored nation-wide showed there was no breakdown of law and order.
Security agencies arrested three pro-democracy activists in Lagos during the May Day rally at the Onikan Stadium.
The activists – Mr. Adebowale Onigbinde of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Wale Okunniyi of the Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO) and Segun Ajayi of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), were rounded up by men of the SSS at the entrance of the stadium.
Okunniyi, however, told The Guardian on phone as he was being whisked away that nothing would stop him from fighting for justice.
Ehindero had said on Monday that the police would deal with anyone that embarked on street protest over the controversial 2007 polls. He said only the Labour rally at Onikan Stadium was permitted.
Spokesperson of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, decried the arrest of the activists “since they were not protesting on the streets, even though they have the constitutional right to do so.”
She added: “They thought we were going to mobilise people to go on the streets. But that was not part of our plan. Ours was to attend the rally. We have asked the citizenry to wear black arm bands or clothes as a mark of solidarity. They are wasting their time by arresting our members. No amount of intimidation and harassment will stop us from fighting against injustice.”
Okei-Odumakin urged the citizenry to brace up for the battle to save the country from dictatorship because “if we fail to fight for equity, Nigerians have lost all.”
The activist alleged that the SSS were denying the arrested activists access to their lawyers.
According to her, their counsel, Festus Keyamo, was not allowed into the Shangisha Lagos office of the SSS yesterday when he went to file papers for their bail.
Buhari, in his statement, lauded Nigerians for heading his calls for national prayers “as part of the series of actions designed to protest against the “elections” which took place on 14th and 21st April, 2007. We invited all faithful to offer special prayers in mosques and churches for the repose of the souls of those killed during the troubles and quick recovery for the injured. Our prayers should also commiserate with the families of victims and those who lost their property. ”
He continued: “We wish to thank all those who took part in these prayers. We particularly thank the religious leaders for acting on our call. We are encouraged by this response, as reports indicate that a number of mosques and churches took part in this patriotic call to duty to our country.”
Buhari was the presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), who, according to the election results, came a distant second after Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said: “We urge people to remain resolute against rigged elections, which are the worst form of corruption. The travesty in 2003, which passed off largely unchallenged, is responsible for this massive electoral fraud in 2007. Unless true lovers of democracy join forces to put a stop to this fraud, it will continue unabated.
“Therefore, if this election is allowed to stand, in 2011, they will just announce the result over the radio 24 hours before the election day and Nigerians will have no say on who governs them. Inaugurating this government is a clear case of rewarding unconstitutional action, which means Nigerians have agreed that cheating does pay.”
The May Day in Oyo State was also celebrated amidst grievances generated from the just-concluded elections, as the state chapter of the NLC expressed displeasure with the malpractice which marred the election and called on the Federal Government to ensure the return of peace to the land.
The union, which aligned itself with the view of the international community that monitored the electoral process, condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the Federal Government for allegedly conspiring to subvert the electoral choice of the people.
“The Congress is grieved about wanton and criminal activities of snatching ballot boxes and gross manipulation of the people’s mandate”, said state NLC Chairman, Bashiru Lamidi Apapa.
Other issues listed by the union leader to be addressed by the government include: Payment of 142 per cent pension arrears for 62 months, as well as their 10 per cent severance allowance for those prematurely retired in 2002, availability of petroleum products in the state, payment of hazard allowance for medical and health workers and sales of government quarters.
This was made known by the NLC President, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar, at the celebration of the 2007 edition of May Day.
While declaring that the Nigerian workers would not relent in their call for a living wage in the coming dispensation, Omar chided the Federal Government for withdrawing a 15 per cent pay rise earlier announced for workers.
His words: “With the rising poverty among the working population, the restoration of a living wage remains an immediate agenda. We will sustain the agitation for a living wage well beyond this present government. The NLC has demanded the repeal of the circular stopping the implementation of the 15 per cent increase in the federal civil service. As little as the 15 per cent increase might be, the Federal Government’s decision to stop the implementation is unacceptable.”
He commended some state governments that have taken steps to implement the wage increase, urging other state governments to follow suit, “as an interim measure.”
Omar observed that with consolidation of emoluments, the tax burden on workers has increased and made nonsense of the increase, requesting President Obasanjo and the National Assembly to urgently revisit the personal income tax regime so that it does not continue to inflict harm on workers.
He further pointed out that the consolidation salary regime had caused structural imbalance in some sectors. As a way out of the crisis, the NLC called for the convening of a platform under the spirit of collective bargaining to resolve the issue.
In his address, President-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele insisted that only adequate restoration of the nation’s refineries hold the magic wand to fuel price increments.
While condemning the activities of kidnappers in the Niger Delta, Esele said the development had given Nigeria bad image abroad and called on the
Federal Government to implement the Niger Delta master plan which is envisaged to create jobs for the restive youths in the area.
Meanwhile Eagle Square, Abuja the podium used for the celebration was condoned off by the police. Leading almost 100 police officers to the magnificent Eagle Square, Commissioner of Police for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lawrence Alobi told The Guardian that the presence of the police in the arena was to ensure security and not to scare anybody.
But a legal practitioner, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, observed that the presence of
police was a sign of weakness on the political class who still remained and opposed to the freedom of speech and association among other privileges that democracy bestow on the Nigerian citizens.
Aturu also faulted the absence of President Obasanjo, Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bello Masari among other government functionaries saying that they have “lost touch with reality as regards the collective aspirations of their people.”