The organized labor’s leadership criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday for cautioning against the planned protest scheduled for February 27 and 28.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) were advised by the secret police to reconsider their decision, with the promise that doing so would benefit peace nationwide.
In response to the warning issued by the DSS, Joe Ajaero, the president of NLC, voiced that the organized labor should not be unfairly targeted and individuals seeking to exploit the protests to incite chaos and potentially widespread violence should be apprehended, rather than resorting to accusations leveled by the secret police.
Ajaero emphasized that it would be unjustifiable if the labor movement and its leaders fail to take action and address the ongoing hardships caused by the Nigerian government’s apathetic attitude.
The labor leader, who characterized the upcoming act as a “peaceful demonstration against the unacceptable high cost of living,” also stated that the Congress would not stand idly by as Nigerians struggle in poverty.
“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 in spite of the indescribable suffering in the land, spiralling 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 spokes person of the government.
“According to the Service, “It is common knowledge that all levels of Government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt, So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties”.
