The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lashed out at the appeal by the Department of State Services (DSS) to desist from going on a planned protest over the economic situation and cost of living crises being witnessed in the country.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that last week, the NLC called on its members to prepare for a two-day nationwide industrial action after issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the Agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.
The planned days for the protest were slated for February 27 and 28.
The spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya appealed to parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation, instead of engaging in actions that could escalate tensions.
He stated that all levels of government are working to improve the current economic conditions and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
But the Labour Union in a reaction statement signed by its president Joe Ajaero on Wednesday evening has insisted that there is no going back on the planned industrial action
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Ajaero said the union was ”concerned by the unsolicited advice of the Department of State Security to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living despite the indescribable suffering in the land, spiralling inflation, deepening poverty and the Naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the US Dollar.”
The NLC president noted that ”the Service has assigned to itself, the new role of the chief spokesperson of the government” which is deeply concerning.
He instead advised the DSS to focus their attention on the arrest of ”some elements planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence”
We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compete with its sovereignty or security.” he said.
Ajaero maintained that the union would not cower to the DSS’s attempts at blackmail but would lead a peaceful protest to end the suffering of the citizens of the nation.