The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the security advisory issued by the Department of State Services (DSS), which urged the union to abandon its scheduled nationwide protest.
The NLC had initiated mobilization efforts among its members on Monday for the planned mass protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, citing concerns over the country’s escalating cost of living.
However, the DSS, through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, released a statement on Wednesday, advising the union to cancel the protest in the interest of maintaining peace and public order. The security agency urged the NLC to opt for dialogue with the government instead, expressing concerns that the planned protest could potentially incite tension and violence.
In response, NLC President Joe Ajaero reaffirmed the union’s commitment to proceeding with the protest, highlighting the severe hardships inflicted on Nigerians by certain policies of the current administration. He assured that the protest would be conducted peacefully and urged the DSS to identify and apprehend any individuals or groups attempting to hijack the demonstration.
Ajaero emphasized that the protest aims to address the intolerable cost of living, which affects not only ordinary Nigerians but also the personnel of the security service. He warned against complacency in the face of ongoing hardships, stressing the importance of taking action to address these pressing issues.