In a bold and defiant response to the Department of State Services (DSS), the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the DSS's plea to shelve their planned nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28. The DSS had cautioned against the protest, citing concerns over potential violence and disruption to public order.
President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, minced no words as he criticized the DSS for attempting to blackmail the organised labour. Ajaero emphasized that the protest is a peaceful demonstration against the "unpardonable cost of living" that has plagued Nigerians, with skyrocketing inflation, deepening poverty, and a Naira at an exchange rate of N1,900 to the US Dollar.
In response to the DSS warning, Ajaero asserted that history would not forgive the labour movement if it remained passive in the face of the current hardships exacerbated by the government's perceived nonchalant attitude.
Ajaero questioned the DSS's claim that the protest posed a threat to peace and public order, highlighting the labour movement's history of peaceful demonstrations. He also expressed skepticism about the DSS's new role as the chief spokesperson of the government, stating, "More worrying is the new role the Service has assigned to itself, the chief spokesperson of the government."
The labour leader further criticized the DSS for not taking decisive action against elements planning to exploit the protest for crisis and violence, saying, "We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of 'peace,' and wild allegations."
Ajaero reaffirmed the commitment of the labour movement to the peaceful nature of the protest, emphasizing that it is a legitimate response to the economic challenges faced by both the Nigerian populace and the unserviced personnel of the DSS.
As the tension between organised labour and the DSS escalates, the nation awaits the unfolding events leading up to the scheduled nationwide protest, with the labour movement standing firm on its decision to address the issues at the heart of the protest.
