NLC calls off nationwide protest, issues March 13 ultimatum to FG

Business a.m

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the suspension of its nationwide protest, citing the success of the first day of protests. The Congress has however extended its deadline to the federal government to March 13 to implement all its demands.

NLC said that it had achieved almost all of its objectives for the protest and had no need to continue for a second day. The protest, which was scheduled to last for two days, saw thousands of workers from various sectors take to the streets to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and better security for workers.

In a statement signed by Joe Ajaero, the president of the NLC, and Ismail Bello, the acting general secretary, the congress said that it made the decision to suspend the protest at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The NEC is the highest decision-making body of the NLC, and the decision to suspend the protest was made after careful consideration of the progress made on the first day.

According to the statement, the NLC said that its NEC in session on Friday, 16th 2024 had ordered a two-day nationwide protest to show support for the people of Nigeria who were suffering from the rising cost of living. The NEC had specifically protested against the government’s decision to increase the price of petrol and to float the naira. 

The first day of the protest was reviewed by the NEC in order to assess its effectiveness and to decide on further action. The NEC decided that the protest had been successful and had demonstrated the will of the people to resist government policies that were causing widespread suffering and hardship. However, the NEC also decided that there was no need for a second day of protest, and that the best course of action was to continue to engage with the government to find solutions to the problems facing the people of Nigeria.

The statement read in part, “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.

“NEC also deeply appreciates Nigerian workers and masses for sending a strong message to the powers that be on their united resolve to demand accountability from those who occupy positions of leadership in our nation. It believed that the message has strongly resonated.

“Consequently, NEC-in-session resolved as follows: To suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attaining the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.”

However, the NLC stated that the nationwide action would continue on the following day, with state councils and the national headquarters holding simultaneous press conferences across the country. 

The NLC explained that the decision to continue with the nationwide action for another 7 days was made in order to reaffirm and extend the 7-day ultimatum that had been given to the government on 2nd October 2023. The new deadline was set for 13th March 2024, and the government was expected to implement all the demands that had been made during the nationwide protest.