The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) accused the Federal Government of employing divide-and-rule tactics to undermine its efforts, leading to the cancellation of a two-day protest due to threats and intimidation. The NLC expressed concern over the militarization of its headquarters and state offices by the government, affirming its members’ resilience against any form of coercion.
The NLC leadership declared their refusal to attend nighttime meetings initiated by the government prior to nationwide mass actions, denouncing it as a ploy to deceive them. President Joe Ajaero, speaking at a press briefing at Labour House in Abuja, emphasized that the NLC leadership would only engage in meetings with government officials if no actions had been declared.
He said: “Each time they invite us for meetings, we will attend and listen to them because if we don’t attend, they will blackmail us. You are aware that they held a meeting with us till late on Sunday. While that meeting was on, they wrote letters to all the unions to undermine us.
“You’re meeting with the leadership of the NLC, and you’re still inviting every union in the country to undermine us. Even at that meeting, where I was talking, they wanted two of my deputies to be talking, so that we don’t have leaders, but we survived all that.
“There is nothing on earth they have not done to subvert the NLC. Nothing! And we’re still waxing stronger. So, if they invite us for a meeting, we will still go and listen because we have our views, we have our positions, and we will still gently present our positions. We won’t say we’re not going except when we realise that…”
Just before the two-day protest was set to begin, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) called upon the leadership of the Congress for a meeting that extended late into the night, seemingly aimed at thwarting the rally.
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