NLC Issues Warning to Tinubu Administration: Threatens Total Shutdown Amidst Alleged Plans to Disrupt Protests

In a recent statement, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns about alleged plans by state-sponsored individuals to attack its scheduled rallies on Tuesday and Wednesday. NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that if such attacks occur, the NLC would instruct its members to initiate a total shutdown, potentially impacting the Nigerian economy.

Ajaero named a group, Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF), which the NLC claims is funded and controlled by the government to incite violence against protesters advocating for an end to economic hardships caused by government policies.

Scheduled protests by the NLC aim to address the cost of living crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidy and the fluctuation of the naira. The workers’ union accuses the government of failing to fulfill promises to mitigate the impact of the petrol subsidy removal, leading to a significant rise in food prices while public workers’ salaries remain stagnant.

Despite appeals from the government and warnings from the police, the NLC remains steadfast in its decision to proceed with the strike. Ajaero emphasized that suppressing peaceful dissent or deploying violence would not solve the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

The NLC urged the government to find solutions to the people’s grievances instead of resorting to violence. Ajaero highlighted the citizens’ right to peaceful protest and called on international human rights bodies, the African Union, and the United Nations to take note of the threats to this right by the Nigerian State.

As the NLC and civil society allies gear up for the protests on February 27th and 28th, Ajaero reiterated their determination to express grievances peacefully, emphasizing that the demonstrations represent the collective voice of Nigerians demanding an end to economic hardships.