The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed reports suggesting it has withdrawn from the proposed nationwide protests against the current economic hardship in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajero clarified that the labor organization cannot withdraw from a protest it did not organize. Ajero emphasized that only the organizers of the planned national protest have the authority to decide whether to proceed or cancel the event.
“A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such story as patently false,” Ajero stated. “The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organize. It is only the organizers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.”
Ajero further explained that the NLC has its own internal mechanisms and leadership decision-making processes for initiating industrial actions, such as protests. Despite not organizing the protest, the NLC stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people during these challenging times marked by severe economic hardship and worsening hunger.
“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organizing the protest does not mean that organized labor is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government,” Ajero continued. “The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.”
Ajero called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage with the protest leaders in dialogue to address their demands, warning that responding to public anger with force would be counterproductive.
“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organizers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands. We have advised that it would be counterproductive for government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force,” Ajero stated.
The NLC urged both the Federal and state governments to listen to the concerns of the Nigerian people and take necessary actions to alleviate their suffering. Ajero concluded, “Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
This clarification from the NLC aims to set the record straight and reaffirm its commitment to advocating for the welfare of Nigerians amidst the ongoing economic crisis.
