President Bola Tinubu has voiced his disapproval of the recent protests organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against the economic challenges following the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023.
Addressing the public during the inauguration of the Red Line Rail Mass Transit project in Lagos, Tinubu deemed the protests unacceptable, citing their occurrence within nine months of his administration.
Implying a political agenda behind the NLC’s actions, Tinubu suggested that if the union intended to engage in political activism, they should await the 2027 elections to express their dissent.
Despite recognizing the prevailing hardships, President Tinubu highlighted the potential of the Red Line project to stimulate economic growth and create opportunities.
Encouraging resilience, Tinubu urged Nigerians to trust the government’s capacity to navigate the nation’s economic trials, emphasizing, “forcing rights within nine months of an administration is unacceptable.”
Critics perceive Tinubu’s remarks as an attempt to suppress dissent and undermine the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
According to reports from THE WHISTLER, the NLC accused the Federal Government of employing divide-and-rule tactics to weaken the union. The two-day protest was reportedly called off due to alleged threats and intimidation.
Expressing concerns over militarization of their headquarters and state offices nationwide, the NLC asserted their resilience against government pressure.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, denounced government efforts to subvert the union and declared a change in approach, stating that the NLC would no longer engage in pre-action meetings, considering them futile.
The suspension of protests was announced during a press briefing in Abuja, where Ajaero emphasized the NLC’s determination to persist despite government interference.
