Labour Congress Rejects Police Justification for Headquarters Raid, Demands Clear Explanation from Government

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an apology from the Federal Government for the invasion of its national headquarters in Abuja by security operatives on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

In a communique issued after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting over the weekend, the NLC, led by President Comrade Joe Ajaero, rejected the Police’s explanation for the invasion. The Congress criticized the Police’s rationale as an afterthought and an attempt to obscure the true motives behind the action, suggesting it raises more questions than it answers.

“NEC-in-session rejects outrightly 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.

“NEC believes that the invasion by the Police is a deliberate provocation by the Government and as such would not allow itself to act out of anger but to exercise caution for the greater sake of our nation. It insists that in the midst of recklessness, insanity and irresponsibility, patriots would always take the high road of restraint. This is what is required now and the response of the government to our queries will determine what our next line of action will be in the coming days.”

The communique also urged the government to cease the harassment of those with opposing views and ideologies. “We must understand that this is not the first protest in Nigeria and would not be the last. NEC wonders why this administration is criminalizing protest and has renewed clamp down on Marxists, Socialists, and those with different Leftist Ideologies as if courting a neoliberal dictatorship. Stop harassment of those holding opposing views.”

The NEC further called on the government to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerian workers, trade unions, the NLC, and the TUC, enabling them 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 the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos,” the communique added.

Additionally, the NLC “urges the President to take decisive action by addressing the systemic issues of profligacy, waste, and mismanagement that have exacerbated the suffering of the Nigerian people. The government must listen to the voices of reason, embrace truth, and pursue a holistic overhaul of its policies. This includes distancing itself from divisive rhetoric and instead promoting national unity and restructuring.”

The communique also called for an inclusive stakeholders’ conclave to address pressing issues in Nigeria and to find solutions to the root causes of the current unrest—hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity, and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies. Furthermore, it urged the government to stop the blame game and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the nation’s challenges.