NLC Suspends Protest, Issues New Ultimatum To FG On Demands

The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has halted its nationwide protest for the second day, following a review of the highly impactful initial day.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Acting General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello, disclosed the suspension of the exercise in a communique provided to the media on Tuesday night.

Ajaero stated that during the NEC session on Friday, February 16, 2024, the Congress had ordered a 2-Day Nationwide Protest to join Nigerians in demonstrating outrage over the massive suffering and hunger facing the masses and workers as a result of the policies of the government to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and float the Naira.

He explained that the NEC-in-session reviewed the implementation of the first day of the nationwide protest to evaluate its effectiveness and decide on any additional actions needed to guide the Congress in its efforts to engage the government and protect the people and Nigerian workers from worsening hardship.

He said that, in line with this objective, the NEC praised Nigerians, all NLC affiliates, state councils, workers, and societal allies nationwide for turning out in significant numbers to peacefully demonstrate their discontent with the hardship inflicted by the government and its affiliations with the IMF and the World Bank.

He stated that the NEC deeply appreciates Nigerian workers and masses for sending a strong message to the powers that be on their united resolve to demand accountability from those who occupy positions of leadership in our nation.

It is believed that the message has strongly resonated

The NEC-in-session resolved to suspend street action for the second day of the protest, having achieved overwhelming success, thus achieving the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.

“However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress, including the National Headquarters

“To reaffirm and extend the 7-day ultimatum by another 7 days, which now expires on the 13th day of March 2024, within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreements of the 2nd day of October 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.

“To meet and decide on further lines of action if the expiration of the 14 days government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.

“Once again, NEC recommits the NLC to continuing defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses,” NLC stated in the communiqué.

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) remains steadfast in its decision to proceed with the planned protests on Tuesday and Wednesday, highlighting the growing concerns over “mounting hunger and insecurity” in Nigeria