NLC suspends nationwide protest

By Helen Shok Jok, Abuja

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has suspended the second day of its two-day nationwide rally, which should have held today, Wednesday.

This is contained in a communique at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday, to review its action of the first day of the rally.

NLC said its decision to suspend the day two of the rally was due to the success of the action on the first day, saying it will use the second day to engage on other activities like simultaneous press conferences across the country by State Councils and the national headquarters.

The NEC also agreed to reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum given to the Government by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in their letter on Tuesday to the government during their nationwide protest among other things.

Read Also: Abuja: NLC presents Protesters’ demands to National Assembly

The communique signed by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero and the Acting General Secretary Ismail Bello said, “the NEC of Congress in session on Friday 16th 2024, ordered a 2-Day Nationwide Protest to join Nigerians in demonstrating outrage over the massive suffering and hunger facing the masses and workers as a result of the policies of the government to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and float the Naira.

“The NEC-in-session therefore reviewed the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest to assess its effectiveness and take decision on further necessary action to guide Congress in its effort at engaging government to protect the people and Nigerian workers from the increasing scourge of hardship.

“To this end, NEC commended Nigerians, all NLC affiliates, state Councils, Workers and Civil Society Allies across the Nation for trooping out in large numbers to peacefully demonstrate their outrage on the hardship imposed by the government and its twin altars – the IMF and the World Bank.”

According to the NLC, the message has strongly resonated which led to the suspension of the second day of the protest and rally.

NEC Resolutions

1. To suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved
overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.
2. However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.
3. To reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.
4. To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days, Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.”

The NLC also promised to continue defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the masses.

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