The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly denied reports suggesting its withdrawal from the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship, slated for August 1.
NLC President Joe Ajaero clarified in a Tuesday press release titled, “The Nigeria Labour Congress Cannot Withdraw from a Protest that It Did Not Organise,” that the union cannot withdraw from a protest it did not initiate.
“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 a story as patently false,” Ajaero stated. “The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.”
Ajaero emphasized that the NLC has a structured decision-making process, involving internal trade union mechanisms and leadership approval, which guides its industrial actions, including protests, to ensure thorough consideration before any action is taken.
“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious to the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of the government,” he clarified.
He reiterated the NLC’s solidarity with the Nigerian people during these “trying and excruciating times” and urged President Bola Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the leaders of the protest movement to address their demands.
“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,” Ajaero added.
The planned protest has gained significant traction on social media, trending under hashtags such as ‘#EndBadGovernance,’ ‘#TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’
In response, the Presidency and police authorities have called on the youth to abandon the protest plan.
