By Kenneth Ehigiator

Nigerians in Washington DC, United States of America, USA, will, today, hit the streets to protest against Federal Government’s refusal to revert to N65 per litre pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol.

An online statement by Estella Ogbonna, yesterday, said Nigerians in Washington DC, would also be protesting against government’s deployment of soldiers to suppress Nigerians rights to protest.

The statement, which urged President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately withdraw soldiers from the streets of Lagos and deploy them to Boko Haram enclaves in the North, lamented that the President had by his action taken Nigeria back to the dark days of military rule.

It read: “January 1, 2012, the Nigerian people at home and in the Diaspora awoke to the unitary imposition of petroleum taxes on the citizens of the United Nations of Nigeria.

“This precipitous decision by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration occurred on the same week that Nigerians were slaughtered in Niger State during a Christmas Day service by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

“In evoking memories of the Nigerian and Biafra genocidal war, the organisation also called on all Christians in the north to head back to the south irrespective of their years of residency and ethnic affiliations.

“Consequently, Nigerians at home and abroad have been on the streets since January 9 in protest against the hike. At the Washington DC, Occupy Nigeria Movement, the current developments in Nigeria on January 16, have not weakened our convictions to keep fighting for the less-privileged Nigerians.

‘Labour sold out’

“President Jonathan has pegged the taxes at 97 naira per litre and simultaneously ordered the Nigerian Army into the streets of Lagos to intimidate peaceful protesters. On the other hand, NLC and TUC have betrayed the Nigerian people that started the peaceful protest.

‘Slash your pay by 50%’

“The labour unions have conducted Nicodemus-style negotiations with government officials who seem devoid of conscience and should have reduced their own bonuses, allowances, and salaries by 50% before inflicting more hardships on ordinary people.

“These so-called negotiations were missing members of the social and economic justice activism communities in Nigeria.

“After thorough consultations and deliberations, the Occupy Nigerian Movement in Washington DC calls on President Jonathan to immediately redeploy our troops from the streets of Lagos and into those enclaves of Boko Haram.”

“Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, should immediately assign the police in Lagos to protect peaceful protesters and properties. Nigerians have the right to assembly and petition their government and those inalienable rights should not be infringed upon.

“We call on fellow compatriots to go back to the streets in demonstrations against the fuel taxes and the Boko Haram menace.”