Regina Otokpa 
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to stop the harassment of those holding opposing ideologies, and also condemned alleged plans to frame innocent citizens on trumped up charges.
The labour union also flatly rejected the explanation given by the Nigeria Police for last Wednesday’s raid on its headquarters and have demanded an apology from the Federal Government and the police, as well the true reason for the raid as soon as possible.
A communiqué signed by President of the NLC, Comrades Joe Ajaero at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Congress and made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, noted that the police and government were being economical with the truth.
NEC while noting that it believed the invasion by the Police was a deliberate provocation by the government said the NLC would retrain itself from responding to the invasion for the greater sake of the nation, however, the response of the government to its queries would determine the next line of action in the coming days.
The communiqué partly reads: “The NECin-session rejects out rightly the explanation offered by the Police as the reason for the invasion. It described it as rather an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers. It therefore demands a clear explanation from the government as quickly as possible.
“The NEC consequently demands an apology from the Police and the Federal Government on this once again unwarranted invasion and desecration of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).” The NEC-in-session disclosed that necessary machinery had been set up to conduct a forensic audit of the National Headquarters of the NLC to ascertain its safety and continued suitability for the use of workers.
As such, the NEC directed temporary cessation of use of the headquarters to mitigate every unforeseen disaster that may have been intended. Lamenting the pattern of intimidation, brutality, and deceit against the NLC and Nigerians from the first day President Bola Tinubu s administration came into power, NEC has demanded government guarantees the safety, security and free expression of the citizenry, trade unions, labour movement as well as activists in the country.
“The government’s actions began with the President’s May 29, 2023, statement declaring the removal of subsidy, followed by efforts to suppress the NLC’s opposition through threats, divisive propaganda, and unfulfilled promises to alleviate the country’s hardships. It has been a trail of systematic intimidation and violence against trade unions and their leaders.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC recalled several instances of violence, including the brutal abduction and assault of NLC President and other leaders in Owerri, Imo State, and the failure to prosecute the perpetrators. The government has also used legal injunctions, military force, and police intimidation to obstruct the NLC’s constitutional activities, including peaceful protests by affiliate unions SSANU and NASU.
The NEC condemned the criminalization of dissenting views, noting that some labour leaders are still detained because of the protests. “The NEC calls on the government to guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerian workers, trade unions, and the NLC and TUC to operate freely within the country without fear of harm or violence.
The NLC was not part of the recent democratic protests, which were a response to the widespread hardship in the country. We demand that the government withdraw its agents from all premises they have illegally occupied, particularly the headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos.”
While demanding a day set aside to mourn the killing of innocent protesters, NEC further demanded security agencies responsible for their deaths be held accountable, as well as prompt release of detainees and trade unionists arrested either in their homes or relaxation joints saying it was the only way government could show good faith and begin the healing of the nation.
