NLC Clarifies 5 Position on August 1 Protest

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified that it did not organize the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for August 1, debunking earlier reports.

The statement from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) clarifies that they are not the organizers of the planned nationwide hunger protest scheduled for August 1. Here are the key points from their statement:

1. Denial of Organization: The NLC clearly states that it cannot withdraw from a protest it did not organize. They emphasize that only the organizers of the protest can decide to proceed or cancel.
2. Solidarity with the People: Despite not organizing the protest, the NLC expresses solidarity with the Nigerian people who are enduring difficult living conditions due to harsh economic policies.
3. Call for Dialogue: The NLC urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the leaders of the protest movement. They advise against using force to address the grievances, instead advocating for listening to the people’s demands and taking necessary actions.
4. Internal Decision-Making: The NLC mentions their internal mechanisms for decision-making regarding protests or industrial actions, emphasizing that any such actions must pass through their established leadership processes.
5. Government Response: In response to the planned protest, a closed-door meeting involving Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, and all 40 ministers in the President’s cabinet was held to discuss the situation.

Overall, while the NLC distances itself from organizing the protest, they stand in solidarity with the public’s concerns and call for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and responsive governance.