A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Reno Omokri has kicked against the ongoing nationwide protest organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the high cost of living.
The two-day nationwide protest by the workers’ congress kicked off in Abuja, Lagos and other cities across the country on Tuesday.
The protesters are demanding immediate government intervention to tackle the growing economic crisis bedeviling the nation at the moment.
Reacting, Omokri, a former presidential aide, claimed the protest would not change the economic situation.
The PDP chieftain, however, reeled out two ways the country’s economy can be improved.
According to Reno, for the economy to improve, the 36 state governors should emulate the federal government and pay state workers wage awards.
He also pointed out the need for Nigerians to patronize locally made products as a means of strengthening the local currency which has continued to depreciate against the US dollars.
In a post on his official X handle, Reno said, “It is counterintuitive to protest in demand of an end to economic hardship.
“Where has such a protest worked? Economic hardship responds to economic policies, not to protests. You protest against injustice. You work against economic hardship. Not vice versa. If you want your hardship to end, do two things.
“First, ask your state government to pay you a wage award, support the way the Federal Government is paying federal workers ₦35,000 in addition to their salaries. After all, states are now getting 69% more federal allocation since the removal of fuel subsidies, and their wage bills have not increased.
“Then, secondly, #GrowNairaBuyNaija. I am looking at the clothes the protesters are wearing. Women with Brazilian hair. Men with imported shirts and shoes. Your clothes are part of the reason you are suffering”.
