NLC, has insisted that today’s demonstration against the elimination of gasoline subsidies will go forward, despite the fact that talks with the Federal Government on short-term palliatives fell through yesterday.
This occurred as the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, cautioned that any violent protest organised by the NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, would not be tolerated.
YOI MAY ALSO LIKE: Burkina Faso And Mali Warn African Countries Over Niger Coup
At yesterday’s Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives meeting, the Federal Government begged with labour to cancel the planned demonstration, claiming it was doing all necessary to address its concerns.
The IGP’s warning came on the same day that the TUC instructed its affiliates and the 36 state councils to fully engage in the demonstration.
Even as pro-labor civil society organisations such as the Joint Action Front (JAF) and the Campaign for Democratic Workers Rights (CDWR) urged members across the country to mobilise and attend the protest.
Remember that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had previously urged its affiliates across the country to likewise mobilise for today’s protest.
However, the IGP stated that the warning was required due to the negative experiences of such protests in the country’s major cosmopolitan cities in the past.
“The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is deeply concerned about recent developments regarding planned nationwide protests by the police,” said Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement published in Abuja yesterday.
While mindful of our constitution’s enshrined right to peaceful protest, the IGP urges all parties involved to ensure that the planned demonstrations are conducted peacefully to avoid being hijacked by miscreants.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: CBN Exempts Microfinance Banks From Cash Withdrawal Limits
However, the IGP recognises the labour unions’ grievances and the critical importance of constructive dialogue in addressing these issues.
In light of this, the IGP directs the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, as well as supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, to hold fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership in order to foster understanding and find common ground on the planned protests.
