We’re Not Organisers of Proposed Protest, NLC Clarifies

July 24, 2024

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified that it is not organising the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.

The union addressed rumours suggesting its withdrawal from the protest organised by youths.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated this on Wednesday, July 24, advising the federal and subnational governments to address the economic situation and attend to the needs of the Nigerian populace who were facing hardship.

The statement titled: ‘The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise,’ partly reads: “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.

“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 can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms, especially leadership decision-making processes that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.

“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.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in these very trying and excruciating times.

“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers, 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 counter-productive for the government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.

“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.”