In the face of planned nationwide protests against worsening hunger and economic hardship, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned the government against attempting to stifle the voices of the citizens. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, emphasized the need for the government to engage with the protesters constructively instead of using force.
Ajaero called on President Bola Tinubu to heed the concerns of Nigerians who are planning to protest starting August 1, under the hashtags #TinubuMustGo and #Revolution2024. The NLC President highlighted the dire situation many Nigerians face, with many families struggling to afford even one meal a day. He urged the government to address these grievances through dialogue.
The planned protests have been labeled as treasonable by the Presidency. In a tweet, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and his supporters of promoting the protests, calling them anarchists. “If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realize they are clarion calls for treason,” Onanuga stated.
Despite this, the NLC insists on the need for negotiation over confrontation. “The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy,” Ajaero noted, referencing a National Bureau of Statistics report showing 133 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty.
The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, has urged residents to avoid participating in the protests, citing security concerns and the efforts made by the police to maintain peace in the region. Igweh emphasized the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure, specifically mentioning the good roads provided in the FCT.
In Gombe State, Ibrahim Yusuf, Chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organisations, stated that his group would not join the protests. He acknowledged the severe hardship faced by the citizens but called for promised government reliefs to be distributed effectively.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubairu Umar, commented on the government’s role in providing an enabling environment for its citizens. He stressed that while it is not the government’s job to feed everyone, the current economic conditions necessitate government intervention.
