The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its two-day nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country.

The NLC made this known via a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

The union commenced the two-day nationwide protest on Tuesday.

It, however, said the objectives of the protest were achieved on the first day of the demonstration and extended the seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to 14 days.

The NLC, in the communique which was signed by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and Acting General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello, commended workers for heeding the call and turning up in massive numbers to express their grievances to the government.

The communique read: “The NEC of Congress in session on Friday 16th 2024, ordered a two-day nationwide protest to join Nigerians in demonstrating outrage over the massive suffering and hunger facing the masses and workers as a result of the policies of the government to hike the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and float the Naira.

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“The NEC-in-session, therefore, reviewed the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest to assess its effectiveness and take decision on further necessary action to guide Congress in its effort at engaging government to protect the people and Nigerian workers from the increasing scourge of hardship.

“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 to suspend street action for the second day of the Protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the two-day protest on the first day.

“However, nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters

“To reaffirm and extend the seven-day ultimatum by another seven days which now expires on the 13th day of March 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.

“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum. Once again, NEC recommits the NLC to continuing defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses.”

The Star