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No fewer than 65 civil society organizations (CSOs) said they have withdrawn from the planned nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) scheduled for February 27 and 28.
The CSOs, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Forum, cited concerns that the protests and rallies might stir up anarchy and cause more hardship for the populace.
Persecondnews reports that on February 16, 2024, the NLC had announced a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 over the failure to implement the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The coalition of CSOs called for dialogue with the Federal Government in a statement that the Coordinator, Comrade Buba Ibrahim Mohammed, and Secretary, Comrade George Phillips, jointly signed.
They also warned that the action would only stir up civil unrest and further worsen the already bad security situation, as well as damage the fragile economy.
“Any attempt to embark on a nationwide strike during this critical period of hunger and a harsh economy could be hijacked by hoodlums and criminal elements, who have been waiting for the slightest opportunity to unleash terror, disrupt public peace, and loot business premises and markets.
“As civil society organisations, we do understand the depth of economic challenges facing ordinary citizens, especially workers, but we cannot fold our arms and support a move that will further damage and threaten our peaceful coexistence,” the CSOs said.
While stating that it’s not unaware that the labour unions had the constitutional right to make demands and embark on strike to drive home their demands, it maintained that NLC and TUC should know that Nigeria is already sitting on kegs of gun powder that must not be allowed to explode.
“Part of the reason we have refused to join forces with labour unions is to create anarchy and cause more hardship for the people. Instead, we are making frantic efforts to meet with the federal government to discuss how to amicably resolve the issues at stake.
“We recognise the importance of addressing labour-related concerns and advocating for workers’ rights; we kindly urge the labour unions to explore alternative means of dialogue and negotiation with the relevant authorities,” they added.
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