The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will proceed with its planned protest scheduled to hold on Tuesday and Wednesday, despite warning from the presidency.
The Presidency had warned the NLC not to embark on its two-day nationwide protest against the rising cost of living in the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga,handed down the warning.
He described the planned protest as a “breach of the law” and an “illegal undertaking.’’
He said, “The attorney-general has written the NLC’s lawyer that the protest is illegal. So, they are breaching a court order if they want to go on with the protest.
“We are not aware of any plans to disrupt the protest, but what we can confirm is that they (NLC) are breaching an extant rule by a competent court that they should not go on protest. The protest itself is illegal. So, the NLC should bear that in mind.”
In a statement issued on Sunday by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, labour insisted that the protest would hold in line with the decision of the NLC national executive council, adding that “the pangs of hunger cannot be vowed by bullets or tear gas.”
The labour leader alleged a plot to attack the protest, warning that there would be a total shutdown if attacks or violence were unleashed on peaceful protesters.
He admonished the government to find solutions to the challenges plaguing the country.
He noted, “In light of this, we advise the state to put on its thinking cap and find solutions to the pains it continues to cause the people instead of further dehumanising them.”
“However, if it is irrevocably set on the path of violence against us and other peace-loving Nigerians, it will be making a costly mistake because if we are attacked there will be a total shutdown via withdrawal of services by workers. Let no one be deceived, we and other deprived Nigerians cannot easily be intimidated.’’
The congress told the African Union and the United Nations that the right of the people to ‘’peacefully protest and demand for freedom from economic slavery and hardship is being threatened by the Nigerian state”, he stated.
