Fuel subsidy removal: London protest gathers steam

The waves of protests that have greeted the government’s removal of subsidy on petroleum across Nigeria is spiralling abroad as Nigerians in the United Kingdom have started mobilising for a demonstration at the Nigerian High Commission in London.

Soon after a group of protesters converged at the Eagle Square on Monday that heralded other protests across the country, some Nigerians in the UK took to Facebook and Twitter mobilising other Nigerians for a demonstration at the Nigerian House, London.

The mobilisers have received over 2,000 direct responses from Nigerians willing to be part of the protest scheduled for Friday. The organisers have also got a go-ahead from the London Metropolitan Police who have promised to keep a close watch at the proceeding to avoid any break out of violence.

Earlier today, the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC indicated interest in covering the protest. Some of the organisers have been invited for a BBC programme on the issue later today.

Similarly, Nigerian media organisations have also promised to relay the proceeding of the event live. Among such media organisations are Premium Times, Channels television and Sahara Reporters.

The protest will commence by noon at Chairing Cross Underground Station London. From there, the protesters plan to walk to the Nigerian House, the seat of the High Commission

As part of the protest, a signed petition would be delivered to the Nigerian High commissioner to the UK, Dalhatu Tafida. Organisers say they would request Mr. Tafida to address the protesters.

Some of the requests contained in the petition include the immediate reversal of the decision to remove subsidy on fuel, the setting up of a commission to look into market competitiveness and a radical reduction of fuel prices.

Charles Jiduwah, one of the organisers of the planned protest, described the removal of the subsidy as a betrayal of the trust Nigeria has in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.