The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has told the Department of State Services, DSS, that it can’t blackmail labour with lies not to ahead with its planned peaceful protest against the hardship in the country, slated for February 27 and 28, 2024.
It also expressed worries that the DSS has assigned to itself, the chief spokesperson of the Federal Government.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero on Wednesday, while reacting to calls by DSS on labour shelved its planned protest, said:
“We are concerned by the unsolicited advice of DSS to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living in spite of the indescribable suffering in the land, spiraling 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”.
“We are equally worried that although the “Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence”, and yet have not executed the arrest of these elements.
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“We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compromise its sovereignty or security.
“Having said this, we would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service. 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,” NLC president said.
DSS Director, PR and Strategic Communications, Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Wednesday, said:
“The attention of the DSS has been drawn to plans by sections of the organised labour to stage protests between February 27 and 28, 2024, in parts of the country over sundry economic issues.
“While the Service recognises such action as the legitimate right of the labour movement, it, however, urges the body to shelve the plan in the interest of peace and public order.
“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 development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country.
“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. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand.”
