Following the threat of a nationwide protest planned for Monday, August 5 by certain groups with the “#Revolution Now” against poor governance in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC )and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have distanced themselves from any protests.
The NLC in a statement by its President Ayuba Wabba on Saturday said: We would wish to inform our members/affiliate unions, civil society allies and the general public that the Nigeria Labour Congress is neither organising nor getting associated with any mass action or street protest over any issue in any part or every part of the country in the days ahead.
“Before we embark on any mass action or street protest, the issue(s) in contestation must first be thoroughly debated by the appropriate organs of the Congress.
“Similarly, the decision to do a mass action or any form of protest is usually taken by those organs. Accordingly, we wish to state unambiguously that neither has such an issue has arisen nor a debate for a mass action taken place, let alone a decision to proceed on mass action.”
The NLC said nonetheless, it respects the right of the citizenry to freely associate and hold an opinion, and to peacefully protest against any policy or policies with which they disagree.
In the same vein President of the TUC, Quadri Olaleye said the TUC is not part of any planned protest.
In a statement on Saturday, the TUC President informed the general public that it had no planned mass action or street protest in the country for now. It also stated unequivocally that it is not in league with any group whatsoever for any mass action in any part of the country.
It further stated that there are no issues in contention with any public authority that has not been subjected to social dialogue that will now require extraordinary means or action to resolve.
The Congress further stated that if such issues arise, the Labour Centre would go through its internal mechanism to procure authority for such an action, bearing in mind that its organs must be properly briefed and thorough debates will be undertaken before the organs can give approval. “In this case, no issue has arisen, no organ has been summoned, and no debate has been undertaken, therefore no such decisions have been taken,” he said.
TUC however, holds the opinion that any group or groups reserve the right to express themselves in any manner they deem fit taking into cognisance the laws of the land.
“TUC remains committed to the corporate existence of this country in which all manner of people enjoy the right of citizenship,” he said.
