The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning that it may embark on a nationwide strike if the federal government does not issue an apology for the recent raid on its Abuja secretariat.
In a statement, the NLC condemned the government’s ongoing silence and failure to address its demands following the raid, which the union has characterized as a “declaration of a hybrid war against Congress.”
Speaking at a press conference at Labour House, Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, voiced the union’s frustration over the government’s refusal to apologize for the invasion or return the items seized from their headquarters.
The NLC also dismissed the police’s justification for the raid, which was allegedly aimed at apprehending an “international terrorist” operating from within the building.
The union has made it clear that if the federal government does not meet its demands— including issuing a formal apology and releasing those detained in connection with the incident—the NLC will have no option but to call for a nationwide strike.
This potential strike is viewed as a direct response to what the NLC describes as the government’s “insincerity and blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers.”
Furthermore, the NLC criticized government efforts to interfere in the internal affairs of trade unions, particularly a proposal to reduce the tenure of union leaders to two years. The union argued that such measures are unconstitutional and violate international labor conventions.
The NLC leadership urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the root causes of the nation’s widespread dissatisfaction, including hunger, poverty, inflation, and insecurity.
The union also warned that it would hold the government and the Nigeria Police Force accountable for any further incidents at its headquarters or harm to its leaders and members.
