The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opted to suspend street protests following a successful two-day demonstration and extended its ultimatum to the federal government by an additional seven days.
Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, announced the decision after a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), stating that the street action scheduled for the second day of the protest has been suspended, having achieved its key objectives on the first day.
However, Ajaero emphasized that the nationwide action will continue on Wednesday, February 28, with simultaneous press conferences held across all states of the federation by the state councils of the Congress, including the National Headquarters.
The NLC has reaffirmed and extended the ultimatum by another seven days, now expiring on March 13, 2024. This ultimatum urges the federal government to implement all previous agreements made on October 2, 2023, along with other demands presented during the nationwide protest.
Furthermore, the NEC has resolved to convene and decide on further lines of action if the government fails to comply with the demands upon the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
Ajaero reiterated the NLC’s commitment to defending and promoting the interests of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses.
The NLC had initially ordered a two-day nationwide protest on Friday, February 16, 2024, to express outrage over the suffering and hunger faced by the masses and workers due to government policies such as the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the floating of the Naira.
Ratecaptain checks revealed that the protests took place with varying degrees of success across the country.
The NEC-in-session convened on Tuesday to review the execution of the first day of the nationwide protest and assess its effectiveness. Ajaero stated that the meeting also helped the NLC decide on further necessary action to engage the government in protecting the people and Nigerian workers from increasing hardship.
Ajaero commended Nigerians, all NLC affiliates, state councils, workers, and civil society allies for peacefully demonstrating their outrage over the hardship imposed by the government and its policies, expressing deep appreciation for their united resolve to demand accountability from those in positions of leadership.
