The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has declared its intention to go ahead with the planned protest against the soaring cost of living in the country, despite the warning from the Department of State Security (DSS).
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, said the protest, scheduled for February 27 and 28, was a peaceful way of expressing the grievances of millions of Nigerians who are suffering from the effects of inflation, poverty, and the devaluation of the naira.
He dismissed the advice of the DSS, which urged the NLC to shelve the protest “in the interest of peace and public order”, as unsolicited and biased. He accused the DSS of acting as the spokesperson of the government, which he said was not doing enough to address the economic challenges facing the nation.
He also challenged the DSS to arrest the “elements” who were allegedly planning to use the protest as an opportunity to cause violence and chaos, instead of intimidating the NLC and its members.
“We are equally worried that although the ‘Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence’, and yet have not executed the arrest of these elements,” he said.
He added that the NLC would not be blackmailed or lied against by the DSS, and that the protest was a patriotic duty that history would not forgive them if they failed to carry out.
“Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserved 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,” he said.
The NLC has been at loggerheads with the government over the implementation of the minimum wage, the removal of fuel subsidy, and the hike in electricity tariffs, among other issues. The protest is expected to draw the participation of workers, civil society groups, and other stakeholders across the country.
The NLC has also called on the government to take urgent steps to revive the economy, create jobs, and improve the living standards of Nigerians. It said the protest was not meant to overthrow the government, but to demand accountability and good governance.
The NLC expressed hope that the protest would serve as a wake-up call for the government and the DSS to listen to the voice of the people and respect their rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
Source: BusinessdayNG
