The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made it clear that the duration of the ongoing protest will be determined by the response of the government to their demands, and not by the use of force. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this disclosure during an interview with Channels TV at Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.
The NLC launched its protest on Wednesday morning in various states of the federation, including the FCT, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo, among others, against what they deem as “anti-people” policies.
Ajaero emphasized that the NLC will decide whether the protest continues for today, tomorrow, or longer, based on the response received from the government. He stressed that it is not in the interest of the NLC to resort to force to stop people from expressing their views.
See Also: BREAKING NEWS: NLC Confirms Nationwide Mass Protest to Proceed Tomorrow
The protests were triggered by President Bola Tinubu’s announcement on May 29 that the “fuel subsidy is gone,” which led to a significant increase in the fuel price per liter from N185 to N617 in different parts of the country.
In response to the rising cost of living and the perceived “anti-people” policies, the NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the reversal of these policies. Their demands include an increase in the current minimum wage, the release of eight months’ withheld salary of university lecturers and workers, and a reversal of the increase in public school fees.
The ongoing protests have seen the NLC mobilizing citizens across the nation to voice their grievances and demand meaningful changes from the government. With the labor union’s determination to hold firm until their demands are met, the government is under immense pressure to find a resolution and address the concerns of the Nigerian workers and people.
The protests have drawn attention both locally and internationally, and the government’s response will undoubtedly influence the course of the demonstrations. The NLC remains steadfast in its pursuit of a fairer and more equitable Nigeria, and the coming days will determine the trajectory of this nationwide movement.