Nigeria Labour Congress Rejects DSS Advisory on Nationwide Protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the security advisory issued by the Department of State Services (DSS), urging the union to abandon its scheduled nationwide protest

The NLC began mobilizing its members on Monday for the planned mass protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 to address the country’s cost of living crisis.
However, the DSS, through its spokesman Peter Afunanya, urged the union on Wednesday to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order

The secret police called on the NLC to enter into dialogue with the government, warning that the planned protest could ignite tension and violence across the nation

“The DSS further calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions.

“This is more so that the Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence”, the statement said.

In a swift response, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated on Wednesday that there was no turning back on the plan, highlighting the extent of hardship imposed on Nigerians by certain policies of the current administration

The NLC president assured that the protest would be peaceful and urged the service to identify and apprehend any individuals or groups intending to hijack the process.

“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”, Ajaero added.

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Department of State Services (DSS) had urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its planned nationwide protest scheduled next week.