The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, dismissed reports that it was withdrawing from the proposed national protest by some citizens over the harsh economic situation in the country, saying it cannot be part of an idea that did not emanate from it.
A statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero said the congress had not called for the protest and as such could not withdraw from it.
Ajaero was responding to suggestions that NLC had withdrawn from the planned protest, describing the story as patently false.
Ajaero said the fact that NLC was not part of the organisers did not mean that it was oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians had been subjected to by the harsh policies of the Tinubu government.
The statement said, “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.
“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 of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.”
Ajaero added that NLC still maintained its position that the government should adopt proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers. He said Tinubu should to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands.
The NLC president stated, “We have advised that it would be counter-productive for 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.”
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan, Sunday Aborisade, Segun Awofadeji, John Shiklam, Sylvester Idowu and James Sowole
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