The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn from the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, titled “The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise,” NLC President Joe Ajaero dismissed the claims as false.
“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. 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 clarified.
Ajaero highlighted that the NLC follows a structured decision-making process, which includes internal trade union mechanisms and leadership approval, to guide its industrial actions such as protests. This process ensures careful consideration before any action is taken.
“Although the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest, this does not mean that Organised Labour is unaware of the severe living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of the government,” he added.
Ajaero expressed the NLC’s solidarity with the Nigerian people during these “trying and excruciating times” and urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate dialogue with the protest leaders to address their concerns.
“Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and take necessary actions. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” he stated.
The planned protest has garnered significant support on social media, trending under hashtags such as #EndBadGovernance, #TinubuMustGo, and #Revolution2024.
