The Nigeria Labour Congress is determined to proceed with the planned protests against the current economic situation in the country, despite the warning from the Department of State Services to cancel the protests.
Organized labor has started mobilizing its members for a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 to address the cost of living crisis.
Sources indicate that if the Federal Government does not fulfill its promises after the 14-day ultimatum given by Labour, a two-day nationwide protest will take place on February 27 and 28.
In response to the planned protests, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, released a statement on Wednesday urging the union to cancel the protests for the sake of peace and public order.
The Secret Service recommended that the union focus on dialogue and negotiation instead of actions that could escalate tensions.
However, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated in a personally signed statement on Wednesday evening that the protests will still take place. He questioned why the DSS had not yet arrested those planning to disrupt the protests.
“We are concerned by the unsolicited advice of the Department of State Security to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living despite the indescribable suffering in the land, spiraling inflation, deepening poverty, and the Naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the US Dollar.
“According to the Service, the planned protest should be shelved ‘in the interest of peace and public order’, pre-supposing that the action is intended to be violent and disruptive even when we have a history of peaceful protests’.
“More worrying is the new role the Service has assigned to itself, the chief spokesperson of the government.
“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,” the NLC president said.
Ajaero emphasized that the NLC will not jeopardize the country’s sovereignty or security, and assured that the protests will be peaceful.
“We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compromise its sovereignty or security.
“Having said this, we would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service. Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserviced 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.
