By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has alleged that the State has perfected plans to launch attack against the two-day nationwide peaceful rallies it scheduled for Feb. 27 and 28.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero made the allegation in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
In a swift response, however, the Federal Government has denied the allegation describing it as “speculative.”
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said, by raising the allegation, “NLC is feeling guilty in hatching its hidden agenda influenced by partisan considerations.”
Onanuga who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the alleged attack, said the planned protest was illegal as it was against a subsisting order of court.
He said the NLC had hidden agenda because most of the issues raised by labour for embarking on the protest had been addressed by the government.
Ajaero in his statement entitled, “As the State Prepares to Unleash Violence on us” alleged that one of the groups being primed to attack the peaceful rallies was by a nebulous name, Nigeria Civil Society Forum (NCSF).
“NCSF is one of the emergency groups put together, funded, promoted and remote-controlled by government to cause violence against our members for electing to peacefully protest against the hunger in the land.
“We would want the State to know that the solution to our horrible economic situation and hunger is not by suppressing peaceful dissent or inflicting violence on peacefully protesting citizens,” he said.
Ajaero insisted that the NLC and civil society allies were moving ahead with the protest rallies against economic hardship and insecurity in line with the decision of the National Executive Council.
“As citizens, we have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and history bears us witness that our protests are always peaceful except in instances of State-engineered violence.
“In light of this, we advise the State to put on its thinking cap and find solutions to the pains it continues to cause the people instead of further dehumanising them,” he said.
Onanuga, however, insisted that the issues raised by the labour had been addressed by the government, including the payment of wage award of N35,000 for six months.
He said the money had been paid to civil servants up till the month of January 2024 and only that of the month of February was outstanding.
The President’s aide said the federal government had inaugurated a 37-Member Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to review and come up with an acceptable and sustainable Minimum Wage for the Nigerian Workers.
He said government had made substantial financial commitments on the provision of CNG Buses and conversion Kits.
According to Onanuga, the busses would be rolled out very soon to alleviate the transportation challenges being faced by Nigerians.
[NAN]