Nigeria Labour Congress Affirms Decision to Proceed with Planned Protests Despite Government Warnings

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated its commitment to conduct nationwide protests on February 27 and 28, 2024, citing widespread hunger and insecurity in the country.

NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a statement issued on Sunday, accused the Federal Government of orchestrating plans to disrupt the peaceful rallies through a group called the Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF). Despite warnings from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation, the NLC remains steadfast in its decision to express grievances through peaceful demonstrations.

Ajaero stated that the NCSF is allegedly funded and controlled by the government to incite violence against NLC members participating in the protests. He emphasized the determination of the NLC to ensure a total shutdown of Nigeria by withdrawing services if any of its members are attacked during the demonstrations.

The DSS, in a separate statement, called on the NLC to reconsider the planned protests, expressing concerns that the events could be exploited by certain elements to escalate tensions and lead to widespread violence. The DSS urged both parties to prioritize dialogue and negotiation over actions that could exacerbate the socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

While the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, warned that proceeding with the rallies would constitute contempt of court, the NLC remains resolute, emphasizing the legitimate right of workers to peaceful protests. The scheduled demonstrations aim to highlight economic issues and call for government intervention to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians.