Activists Warn Nigeria Police, Military, Others Against Threatening NLC Over Planned Nationwide Protest

Human rights activists under the aegis of Concerned Activists have warned the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and soldiers to desist from threatening the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship in Nigeria.

The group which gave the warning in a statement issued on Sunday, expressed their unreserved support for the labour union, saying that Nigerians are solidly behind its February 27 and 28 planned protest.

The group noted that most Nigerians are suffering and that people’s salaries and wages are becoming useless.

The Concerned Activists said that as President Bola Tinubu promised during his campaign before the 2023 general elections, the purchasing power of an average Nigerian has drastically reduced.

The statement read, “We the undersigned group of activists from different organisations and sectors have been watching with disdain the unapologetic manner with which President Tinubu and his hegemony have been mobilising fake activists, police, DSS, and ethnic jingoists to attack the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and attempt to discredit the 27th and 28th national protests against the massive hunger; rising cost of food, high cost of living, naira devaluation, oil deregulation, and such other anti-people policies that is making the whole country in hell.

“Most Nigerians are suffering. People’s salaries and wages are becoming useless and as President Tinubu promised during his campaign; the purchasing power of an average Nigerian has drastically reduced.

“We want to state that any organisation that is against a national protest at this period is hereby declared enemy of the people. How can people be in pains and any sane person is against national Protests?

“We also want to warn the DSS, the Police and soldiers to desist from threatening the Labour movement. Are you guys living on another planet? How many of you are living comfortably? We urge all military and security personnel to stand with the people in protests at this time.

“Even the palliatives promised, only two months have been paid to soldiers and other security agencies. Whereas Tinubu and his cohorts in government are spending billions on SUVs and living large while the masses are in penury.

“Those shameless DSS agents calling themselves civil societies are tabula rasas who do not know more than being against the people. A real activist must always fight and stand alongside the people at all times!

“We want to use this opportunity to specially call on Comrade Festus Osifo and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to in the interest of all working people reconvene and join the national protests. We know there can be issues. But workers’ futures are what matters the most.

“Finally, we demand a reversal of all pro-IMF and World Bank policies of neo-liberalism that are inflicting pains on the people. We stand by NLC and we will mobilise all working people, youths and artisans to be in the streets come 26,27, and 28th of February.

“Nigerians cannot continue like this. We refuse to die of hunger. We are taking our destinies into our hands!!!”