THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday asked President Bola Tinubu’s administration to stop the blame game, reverse his policies that have caused hardship to Nigerians and engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

Similarly, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 poll, Mr. Peter Obi, said the nationwide protests, which ended on Saturday, were a call on Nigeria’s leaders to reflect deeply on the growing poverty in the country and take steps to address it.

Former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman, spoke in the same vein, describing the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance as sufficient grounds for impeachment of the President and some state governors.

The NLC also alleged that since President Tinubu took over the reins of power, he had engaged in harassment and intimidation of labour leaders, adding that the recent invasion of its headquarters was to provoke the labour movement.

These, among others, were contained in a communique issued at the end of the emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the NLC held at the weekend.

In the communique, by NLC President Mr. Joe Ajaero, NEC reaffirmed the Congress’ commitment to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers, saying it would not hesitate to take all necessary actions to ensure their safety and well-being.

Labour communique

The communique read: “The National Executive Council, NEC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, convened an emergency meeting on Saturday, August 10, 2024, to address the invasion of the NLC National headquarters by security apparatchik of the Federal Government.

“An invasion of the national secretariat immediately after the holding of the NEC’s emergency meeting of 7th to discuss the welfare of workers and Nigerians in the midst of the #EndbadGovernance Protest in which far reaching decisions were taken was considered deeply worrisome.“This unprecedented action by government has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of Nigerian workers, as well as protection of trade union rights as enshrined in ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The NEC-in-session observed that since the current administration took office, there has been a pattern of intimidation, brutality, and deceit against the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Nigerian people.

“The government’s actions began with the President’s May 29, 2023, statement declaring the removal of subsidy, followed by efforts to suppress NLC’s opposition through threats, divisive propaganda, and unfulfilled promises to alleviate the country’s hardships. It has been a trail of systematic intimidation and violence against trade unions and their leaders.

“The National Executive Council, NEC, of the NLC recalled several instances of violence, including the brutal abduction and assault of the NLC President and other leaders in Owerri, Imo State, and the failure to prosecute the perpetrators.

“The government has also used legal injunctions, military force, and police intimidation to obstruct the NLC’s constitutional activities, including peaceful protests by affiliate unions, SSANU and NASU. The NEC condemned the criminalization of dissenting views, noting that some labour leaders are still detained because of the protests.

“Additionally, NEC highlighted the recent invasion of NLC headquarters, following a biased letter from the Registrar of Trade Unions, as part of a coordinated attack to silence the NLC, which has become the last stronghold of popular voice in Nigeria.”

The communique further stated that after extensive deliberations, the NEC-in-session, demanded safety and security guarantees.

It stated further: “The NEC calls on the government to guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerian workers, trade unions, and the NLC and TUC to operate freely in the country without fear of harm or violence.

“The NLC was not part of the recent democratic protests, which were a response to widespread hardship in the country. We demand that government withdraws its agents from all premises they have illegally occupied, particularly the headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Abuja and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, in Lagos.”

It also rejected Police explanation for the invasion of its headquarters.

“The NEC-in-session rejects outrightly the explanation offered by the Police as a reason for the invasion. It described it as rather an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers. It therefore demands clear explanation from Government as quick as possible,” it said.

On the end to violence and harassment of protesters, the NLC stated: “The NEC once again condemns the killing of innocent protesters who were peacefully expressing their grievances against the harsh policies of the government.

“We demand an immediate cessation of these attacks and call on the government to declare a National Day of Mourning for those who lost their lives and properties during the protests. Additionally, all security agencies responsible for these tragic deaths must be held accountable, especially the Police.”

It also called for the immediate release of detainees and trade unionists arrested either in their homes or relaxation joints, saying “This is the only way the government can show good faith and begin the healing of the nation.”

On harassment of those holding opposing ideologies, the NLC condemned plans to frame up innocent citizens on trumped-up charges.

It said: “We must understand that this is not the first protest in Nigeria and would not be the last. NEC wonders why this administration is criminalizing protest and has renewed clamp down on Marxists, socialists and those who hold different shades of leftist ideologies as if courting a neoliberal dictatorship.

“NEC calls on government to convene an inclusive stakeholders’ conclave to discuss pressing issues confronting Nigeria and chart a path forward that addresses root causes of the current unrest—hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies.

“NEC calls on government to stop the blame game and instead, engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the nation’s challenges.

“This invasion is another attempt at intimidation, thus may be a clear indication of the desperation within government to silence dissent through force. NEC warns that peace without justice is transient and unsustainable.

“NEC urges the President to take decisive action by addressing the systemic issues of profligacy, waste, and mismanagement that have exacerbated the suffering of Nigerian people.

“The government must listen to the voices of reason, embrace truth, and pursue a holistic overhaul of its policies. This includes distancing itself from divisive rhetoric and instead promoting national unity and restructuring.”

While demanding an immediate apology from the government, NLC stated: “NEC consequently demands apology from the Police and the Federal Government on this unwarranted invasion and desecration of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.”

The NEC-in-session directed the leadership to hold a press conference soonest to addres
s all the issues, while also calling for a forensic security audit of NLC headquarters.
“To this end, NEC-in-session sets up necessary machinery to conduct a forensic audit of the national headquarters to ascertain its safety and continued suitability for the use of workers.

“Until this is done, NEC directs temporary cessation of use of the headquarters to mitigate every unforeseen disaster that may have been intended.

“However, NEC believes that the invasion by the Police is a deliberate provocation by government and as such, will not allow itself to act out of anger but to exercise caution for the greater sake of our nation.“NEC reaffirms NLC’s commitment to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and will not hesitate to take all necessary actions to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Also yesterday Mr. Peter Obi, said the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests which ended on Saturday, was a call on Nigeria leaders to reflect deeply on the growing poverty in the country and take steps to address it.

Writing on his X handle yesterday, the LP flagbearer said: “With the #EndBadGovernance protests officially concluded yesterday, I want to once again express my deepest condolences to all who have lost their lives, including the security personnel, during these protests.

“These individuals gave their lives while advocating better governance in our nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all the families who have suffered losses in this struggle. We all share in your grief, as we work together for the betterment of our country.

“May we all find the strength to endure this irreplaceable loss. To those who are wounded and recovering in hospitals and at home, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you for a swift recovery. Your sacrifices for our nation’s cause are deeply appreciated.“I also want to take this moment to urge all leaders to reflect on the cries of the suffering people and address their legitimate demands. It is crucial for us, the leaders, to urgently address issues that sparked and fueled these protests.’’

Also, Salihu Lukman has described the recent nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance as sufficient grounds for the impeachment of President Bola Tinubu and some state governors.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Lukman said due to the mishandling of the protests by the Tinubu administration, there was information suggesting that the organizers had announced October 1 as the date for the resumption of the protests.

He said a situation where the government resorted to cheap campaign of blackmails with the argument of opposition sponsoring the protests should simply be ignored.

“In any event, it is legitimate for the opposition to start working for the defeat of a ruling party once they are unable to justify the confidence of the electorate.

“In fact, ideally, if democratic structures of the country were functionally working, such as political parties and the National Assembly, with what is going on in the country, President Tinubu and many state governors are candidates for immediate impeachment.

“The comatose reality, which has reduced the National Assembly to a rubber stamp, with political parties that are nothing more than leprous fingers, is responsible for the current high levels of frustration and desperation of Nigerians to register their anger through protests.

‘’Combined with a reality where INEC seems to be unwilling to discharge its statutory responsibility of registering new parties that could produce veritable options for legitimate leadership contests in the country, all hopes of democratic change of leadership in the country are fading away,” Lukman declared.

He said with governments at all levels failing to engage the organizers, practically underestimating the capacity of the organizers to mobilize for the protests, ordinary citizens were left at the mercy of angry Nigerians.

According to him, the trigger for Nigeria’s current situation is the withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products and floating of the exchange rate of the naira against other international currencies.

He said: “For an import-dependent economy, it is predictable that the two policies will produce inflationary pressure.

“Unfortunately, so far, the government of President Bola Tinubu is unable to produce any clear definitive policy response to the situation. All citizens hear government say is calling on citizens to be patient without outlining how long it will take for the harsh reality to abate.

“Meanwhile, daily, Nigerians confront challenges of hunger and threats to daily survival. Many citizens die prematurely on account of hunger and preventable diseases.

‘’While acknowledging government’s explanations about how bad the economy has been mismanaged by previous administrations, it must be stressed that being an elected government, Nigerian political leaders should be more responsive.

‘’The minimum should be to acknowledge the reality facing citizens and demonstrate some measure of compassion and seek to ameliorate the harsh conditions facing citizens by relaxing some of these policies.

‘’Instead, painfully, elected leaders, including President Tinubu, are grandstanding, behaving basically as colonial overloads who have conquered Nigerians. With a conquest mentality, our leaders have proceeded to demobilize virtually all political structures in the country such that today Nigeria has earned the bad reputation of being a democracy without any functional political party.

‘’All the registered political parties are nothing but legal entities that only present candidates for elections. Partly, because of that reality, there is none of the parties that is able to recruit the leaders of the #EndBadGovernance protest or at least publicly join the protest.

‘’Although individuals such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi have declared support for the protest, they were unable to contract any strong relationship with the protest organisers.

“So long as political leaders and political parties in the country will be unable to contract strong relationships with veritable and energetic constituencies such as the #EndBadGovernance protest organizers, Nigeria’s democracy is imperilled,’’ he declared.