After its first day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has aborted its two-day nationwide streets protest to kick against hunger,.economic hardship in the country and unfulfilled agreements by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, broke the news in a communique jointly signed with Mr Ismail Bello, Acting General Secretary of the Congress at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
The NLC last Tuesday called workers, civil society affiliates and State Councils out for a nationwide protest against mounting hardship and insecurity in the country.
According to NLC, the decision to abort the action was taken by the National Executive Council of the NLC following a review and assessment of the effectiveness of the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest.
Ajaero read: “NEC-in-session resolved to suspend street action for the second day of the protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the two-day protest on the first day.
“However, nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous press conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.”
Additionally, according to Ajaero, Labour had extended the seven-day ultimatum given to government by a further seven days now to expire on March 13.
Ajaero said they expected the government to implement the earlier agreement of October 2, 2023 and other demands presented in their letter at the nationwide protest.
On the expiration of the 14-day, the NLC would meet and decide on further lines of action, especially if the government refused to comply with the demands outlined in the ultimatum.
Ajaero said NLC’s NEC commended Nigerians, the umbrella Labour organisation’s affiliates, state councils, workers and civil society allies for peacefully demonstrating their unacceptance of the hardship imposed by the government, the IMF and the World Bank.
Ajaero said NLC leaders, also, deeply appreciated Nigerian workers and masses for sending a strong message to the powers that be on their united resolve to demand accountability from those who occupy positions of leadership in our nation.
He expressed NLC commitment to continue to defending and promoting the welfare of Nigerian workers and the masses.
Verbatim, parts of the communique conveyed the NEC of NLC’s resolve: “To suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.
“However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.
“To reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.
“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.
“Once again, NEC recommits the NLC to continuing defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses.”
