NLC to DSS: Don’t blackmail us, our planned protest’ll be peaceful

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will never engage in any activity that compromises the sovereignty or security of the country.

The NLC also said it would not allow the Department of State Services (DSS) to blackmail or lie against the union to forestall its planned protest.

It would be recalled that NLC declared a two-day nationwide protest over economic hardship and insecurity in the country.

The DSS urged the NLC to shelve the planned protest, saying some individuals have concluded plans to hijack the demonstration.

Reacting, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, lashed out at the DSS, saying: “We are concerned by the unsolicited advice of the Department of State Services to shelve our planned protest against the unprecedented high cost of living in spite of the indescribable suffering in the land, spiralling inflation, deepening poverty and the naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the U.S. dollar.

DSS to NLC: Shelve planned protest, some people planning violence

“According to the Service, the planned protest should be shelved ‘in the interest of peace and public order’, pre-supposing that the action is intended to be violent and disruptive even when we have a history of peaceful protests.

“More worrying is the new role the Service has assigned to itself the chief spokesperson of the government. According to the Service, ‘It is common knowledge that all levels of government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt, So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties’.

“We are equally worried that although the ‘Service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence’, and yet have not executed the arrest of these elements.

“We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of ‘peace’ and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and on our honour, we would never do anything that will compromise its sovereignty or security.

“Having said this, we would not have ourselves blackmailed or lied against by the Service. Our protest is a peaceful one against the unpardonable cost of living of which the unserviced personnel of the Service are also victims. We cannot fold our hands and pretend all is well. That will be a grievous conspiracy that history will not forgive.”

The Star