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| Joe Ajaero |
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has asserted that there will be no backing down on the nationwide mass action scheduled against the fuel price hike and other government policies. Addressing journalists at Labour House in Abuja on Tuesday night, Ajaero made it clear that the protest would proceed as planned, despite previous discussions with representatives of the Federal Government led by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Festus Osifo, had mentioned that labour leaders were engaging in a meeting to decide on the final outcome of the protest. Gbajabiamila had expressed indications that the protest might not proceed, but Ajaero confirmed that the meeting with government representatives did not change the union's stance on the matter.
Ajaero urged state councils of the NLC to mobilize heavily for the protest, emphasizing that their demands, jointly signed with the government and TUC, must be implemented in good faith. These demands include the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies, such as the increase in school fees for tertiary institutions and fuel prices. Additionally, they called for the refurbishment of local refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, the release of withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers, and appropriate recognition and support for the presidential steering committee and its sub-committees.
Ajaero dismissed any misinformation spread by fifth columnists and urged all Nigerians to come together and express their collective resolve during the Nationwide Mass Protest starting tomorrow. The NLC President asserted that the labour movement remains committed to representing the interests and desires of the Nigerian workers and people, advocating for their rights and a better future.
Speaking to News Media Joe Ajaero Said:
“We have neither reconsidered nor suspended the nationwide mass protest. We want to inform all Nigerians that we have just risen from a meeting with the federal government where we sought to get them listen to the demands of the people and workers of Nigeria.”
“The outcome of this meeting earlier today has, however, not changed anything or the course which we have set for ourselves tomorrow as custodians of the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and people."
“Nigerians are advised to ignore the work of fifth columnists who are working hard against the wishes of the people. We urge everyone to gather in our respective states and wherever we may be across the nation to give vent to this collective resolve. Once again, the Nationwide Mass Protest will start tomorrow,”
“immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the government such as hike in school fees of tertiary institutions and fuel price”.
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