The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the federal government of declaring war against the organization following a recent raid on its headquarters by security forces.
During a press conference held on Thursday, August 15, 2023 in Abuja, NLC leaders rejected the police’s explanation for the invasion and demanded an apology, the return of seized items, and the release of detained individuals.
“The raid on our headquarters is nothing short of a declaration of war against the Nigeria Labour Congress,” the NLC stated. “We reject the police’s flimsy excuse and demand an immediate apology, the return of all items seized during the raid, and the release of our members who were detained.”
The NLC also condemned government attempts to interfere with the organization’s internal operations, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders, which they argue violates labor laws and international conventions.
“The government’s bid to reduce the tenure of trade union leaders constitutes gross interference in our internal affairs,” the NLC declared. “This is a clear violation of labor laws and international conventions, and we will not stand for it.”
The police had claimed that the raid was an operation to apprehend an international terrorist suspect, but the NLC dismissed this explanation as a cover-up, pointing out contradictions in the police’s account.
“This so-called justification by the police is nothing but a cover-up,” the NLC said. “There are too many contradictions in their story, and we demand the truth.”
The NLC reiterated its call for a stakeholders’ conference to address pressing national issues such as hunger, poverty, and insecurity. They also urged the government to stop meddling in the affairs of opposition parties and instead engage in dialogue with genuine Nigerians.
“We are calling for a stakeholders’ conference to address the critical issues facing our nation,” the NLC urged. “Hunger, poverty, and insecurity are plaguing our country, and it is time for the government to focus on these issues instead of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties.”
The organization warned that it would hold the police accountable for any future incidents at its headquarters or against its leaders and members.
“We want to make it clear that we will hold the police responsible for any future incidents at our headquarters or against our leaders and members,” the NLC warned.
In their statement, the NLC referenced a letter from the Registrar of Trade Unions, which threatened their relationship with the Labour Party, citing specific sections of the Trade Unions Act. They argued that this move infringes on constitutional rights and violates the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions.
“The Registrar of Trade Unions, acting on orders from above, has issued a letter threatening our relationship with the Labour Party,” the NLC revealed. “This is a blatant infringement on our constitutional rights and violates the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ILO Conventions.”
The NLC emphasized that while they are known for their activism, they were not involved in the recent End-Hunger protest. They urged the government to release those in custody, including a National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) executive who was arrested in Abuja, and to cease further acts of intimidation against the NLC and Nigerians in general.
“We want to reiterate that although we are known for our activism, we had no part in the End-Hunger protest,” the NLC clarified. “We demand the immediate release of those in custody, including Comrade Opalua Eleojo of the NUEE, who was arrested in Abuja. The government must stop these acts of intimidation against the NLC and the Nigerian people, the statement added.
