The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn from the nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1.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 explained that the NLC has a structured decision-making process, including internal trade union mechanisms and leadership approval, to guide its industrial actions such as protests.
“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government,” he clarified. He emphasized that the NLC stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people during these “trying and excruciating times.”
Ajaero urged President Bola Tinubu to invite the protest leaders for dialogue. “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.”
