The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has vowed to go ahead with its plan to hold rallies from Tuesday to Wednesday to register its displeasure over the rising cost of living in the country.
The labor union, in a letter it wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said it would not be dissuaded by the federal government’s threat to initiate contempt proceedings against it.
The NLC, through its lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, maintained that contrary to FG’s claim, no court barred its members from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression to protest against the excruciating economic pains being experienced by the masses.
It argued that FG, having withdrawn the contempt proceedings it earlier filed against both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, for embarking on public protest on August 2, 2023, “ought not to have threatened the NLC with contempt.”
The Presidency had earlier warned the Nigeria Labour Congress not to embark on its two-day nationwide protest against the rising cost of living in the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and the police handed down the warnings as 65 civil society groups on Sunday pulled out of the planned demonstration, warning against its possible hijack, arguing that it could worsen the deteriorating situation.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had insisted in a statement on Sunday that the protest would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday as planned.
Recall that on February 16, the NLC announced the nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday over the alleged government’s failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against the widespread hardship.
Addressing NLCS’s decision to proceed with the protest despite entreaties from various agencies and groups, Onanuga described it as a “breach of the law” and an “illegal undertaking.’’
He said, “The attorney-general has written to the NLC’s lawyer that the protest is illegal. So, they are breaching a court order if they want to go on with the protest.
READ ALSO: Police warn Lagosians against economic disturbance during NLC protest
“We are not aware of any plans to disrupt the protest, but what we can confirm is that they, NLC, are breaching an extant rule by a competent court that they should not go on protest. The protest itself is illegal. So, the NLC should bear that in mind.”
Also warning the NLC on its course of action, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, said the command would not condone any form of violence during the planned protest.
Adegoke in a statement cautioned the protesters against disrupting commercial activities, and vehicular movements in the state, adding that anyone found violating the rights of others during the rally would face legal repercussions.
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu and to shun the idea of embarking on a nation wide protest.
While imploring the people to trust in the government’s commitment to the welfare of the nation, Fasoranti said there was a need for the people to engage in constructive dialogue and contribute positively to the ongoing economic reforms.
However, amidst all of these entreaties, the NLC is still hard on going ahead with the rally scheduled to hold on Tuesday and Wednesday.
