…”Protest will go on”, NLC responds
As Nigerian workers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, are warming up for a total shutdown on February 27 and 28, the Department of State Services, DSS, wants the protest cancelled “in the interest of peace and public order.”
Last Friday, the NLC declared a two-day nationwide mass protest to press the government to address the economic turbulence that has seen the naira weaken by the day and Nigerians paying more for food items.
The DSS thinks this is a bad idea.
“The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country,” said Peter Afunanya, the DSS’ director of public relations and strategic communications on Wednesday.
Afunanya said the DSS is opposed to violence as a means of settling the present-day challenges in Nigeria, and, therefore, counselled the labour union to make their demands known to the authorities through dialogue.
“Citizens are encouraged to recognise that what remains unsolved in peacetime, would not be attained in war-time,” Afunanya noted.
“It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt,” he added.
“So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand.”
But Joe Ajaero, the national president of the NLC, laughed the plea off.
He maintained that the upcoming protest, which is “against the unpardonable cost of living” rocking the country would go ahead as planned.
Ajaero said, unlike the fears of the DSS, the protest will not be violent and disruptive. “We have a history of peaceful protests,” he said.
“We would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service,” the NLC President added.
“Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserviced personnel of the Service are also victims. We cannot fold our hands and pretend all is well. That will be a grievous conspiracy that history will not forgive.”
- DSS Uncovers Plot To Use Protests For Regime Change - July 26, 2024
- Military Vows to Maintain Law and Order During Planned Protest - July 25, 2024
- Kidnapping: Delta Police Arrests 4 Suspects Arrested for Receiving Ransom Payments - July 25, 2024