NLC Not Behind Planned August Protest, Ajaero Clarifies

Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has officially stated that the NLC is not involved in the upcoming nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1 to 15.

In a statement, Ajaero addressed the rumors directly, asserting, “A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such a story as patently false.”

He clarified that the NLC cannot withdraw from a protest it did not organize and emphasized that only the protest organizers have the authority to cancel or proceed with their plans.

Ajaero also underscored the NLC’s structured decision-making processes required for any industrial action.

Despite the NLC not organizing the protest, Ajaero acknowledged the difficult economic conditions Nigerians face due to government policies. “The fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organizing the protest does not mean that Organized Labour is oblivious to the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government,” he noted.

Ajaero urged the federal government to engage in dialogue with the protest leaders instead of using force. “We have advised that it would be counter-productive for the government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.”

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to listen to the grievances of the Nigerian people. “Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” Ajaero concluded.