According to a news report from Vanguard, former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara State, Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe, has criticised the state government for preventing youths and other stakeholders from protesting against the hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he assumed office last year.

The former labour leader, denouncing what he termed the anti-democratic actions of the state government, urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to allow the people of the state to express their grievances freely before it becomes too late.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday, Ayeoribe mentioned that the protesters had already assembled and were prepared to begin their march around the Ministry of Works area along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, on August 1, when attention was drawn to a court injunction restricting the protest to Cosmopolitan Square along Asa Dam Road, Ilorin.

According to him,”Restricting protest to Cosmopolitan square is no more protest, and it stands condemned. People have the right to protest anywhere,, and they shouldn't be stifled in doing that.

“It's condemnable that a governor that was democratically elected by the masses would use the resources the same masses put in his custody against their interests.

“The government ought to rightly ensure adequate provision of security to those who wish to protest, that's all.” the former labour leader said.

Ayeoribe nevertheless cautioned the governor against what he described as his antidemocratic tendencies when masses are wallowing deeper in abject poverty every day due to the poor economic policies of the government.

“Where are the leaders of yesterday? Many had the opportunity to rethink at a time like this while in office, but they didn't do the right thing because of the power of office. Today, they are regretting their actions because it's too late. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq should not delude himself that he's on the side of the masses. It's better to change to the side of the masses and let the masses breathe before it's too late.”