The Federal Government’s attempt to stop the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from proceeding with a nationwide strike has yielded no result, as NLC President Joe Ajaero insisted that the protest regarding the current state of the economy would go on as scheduled nationwide today.
A meeting last night between the Federal Government and the leadership of NLC, held behind closed doors at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to try to avert the protests ended in a deadlock. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to put in effect the deployment of police personnel nationwide to ensure that today’s protests were not hijacked by fifth columnists.
Egbetokun said the police were fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that could threaten peace, public safety, and security. Labour-Civil Society Front, a coalition of eminent civil society leaders and groups, declared its support for today’s protest. The group is dedicated to collaborating with the labour movement on pro-people and pro-poor issues.
