Saraki, Dogara fled Workers’ Day venue as Minister escape mob attack

By Amina Isah

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara on Monday in Abuja fled the Eagle square, venue of the May Day celebration as workers went on rampage.

The duo and other top government officials, except the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige were smuggled out of the Eagle Square by their security aides.

The celebration ended abruptly without the usual march past and speeches by the president, minister and labour union leaders.

The refusal of Ngige to deliver his speech but sent the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Biola Bawa, to stand in for him as he; Ngige represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion irked the workers.

The workers refused the minister’s representatives and thereafter began to chorus “no, no’’, and “minimum wage, minimum wage.’’

All attempts to pacify them by the minister, labour leaders, and other government officials, as well as immediate past Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, who graced the occasion failed.

They throng the podium continuing their chant and in the ensuing confusion, a Chief Superintendent of Police, stormed the scene and began to lash at them.

Thereafter, the police deployed a hot-water spraying vehicle to disperse the angry workers who were bent on making the to address them.

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In the ensuing confusion, Sakari, Dogara, Prof. Itse Sagay, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption and others were smuggled out of the venue through the back door.