The National Labour Congress (NLC) remains steadfast in its decision to proceed with a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, 2024. Despite the determination of the organized labour, concerns have been raised regarding an alleged government-sponsored plot to disrupt the planned protests.
In a statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero on Sunday, the labour union expressed apprehensions about potential government collaboration with certain groups to hinder the peaceful rallies across the country. Ajaero urged fellow Nigerians and civil society organizations to join the protest as a show of solidarity against the prevailing economic challenges in the nation.
According to the statement, there are indications that the government has orchestrated plans to thwart the peaceful demonstrations, with one of the purported groups tasked with this role identified as the Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF). Ajaero described the NCSF as an entity hastily assembled, funded, promoted, and manipulated by the government to incite violence against protesters advocating against hunger and economic hardship.
The NLC emphasized that resorting to violence is not a solution to the country’s economic woes and urged the government to address the root causes of discontent rather than suppress peaceful dissent. Ajaero cited instances where government agents reportedly employed tear gas and physical force against women protesting against hunger in Minna and other cities, condemning such actions as counterproductive.
The organized labour warned that any attempt to disrupt the planned protests would be met with severe consequences, potentially resulting in a complete shutdown of the economy as workers embark on a nationwide strike. Ajaero also called upon international bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations, to support the cause of organized labour as they seek to amplify their voices through peaceful protest.
Ajaero reaffirmed the rights of the people to peacefully assemble and demand relief from economic hardships, cautioning against any infringement on these fundamental liberties by the Nigerian State. The NLC’s stance underscores its unwavering commitment to advocating for the welfare and rights of workers and marginalized individuals nationwide.
