The Nigeria Labour Congress and allied unions have initiated a protest in Abuja, highlighting concerns over the nation’s high living costs, inflation, insecurity, and general hardships.
Starting from the Labour House Headquarters in Abuja precisely at 9:36 am, various unions, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the FCT Council, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Construction Workers’ Union, among others, are actively participating.
Notable figures such as Ene Obi, former Nigeria Country Director of ActionAid, and Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, are also in attendance.
Carrying placards bearing messages like “#End Poverty and Hunger. Support Local Industries#,” “Fix Local Refineries End Subsidy#,” and “#End Naira Devaluation; Tax the Rich Subsidise the poor#,” the demonstrators aim to express their grievances on the prevailing economic challenges nationwide.
Prior to the commencement of the protest, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated, “We are here for a rally so that Mr President will know how Nigerians feel and know where it is pinching us.”
The protest follows a 14-day nationwide strike notice issued by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress on February 8, citing the government’s failure to implement agreements reached on October 2, subsequent to the fuel subsidy removal.
Should the Federal Government fail to honor its commitments after the 14-day ultimatum, organized labour will proceed with a two-day nationwide protest.
Despite initial plans for a joint protest, the TUC clarified that it was not part of the protests declared by the NLC for February 27 and 28, emphasizing that the decision was not collectively made.
Efforts by the Federal Government to avert the impending protest through a last-minute meeting on Monday night proved unsuccessful.
Further details to follow…
