A large number of operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Service (DSS), among others have been deployed to major parts of Federal Capital Territory (FCT)-Abuja and Lagos state as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) begins its nationwide protest today, The New Diplomat reports.
It was gathered that many operatives of the security agencies in the country were deployed to strategic parts of Abuja, Lagos and across the country in anticipation of the protest by the NLC.
The New Diplomat had reported that the NLC had organised a nationwide protest in solidarity with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
It was learnt that no fewer than 40 unions, including the aviation workers will participate in the rally called in solidarity with the striking ASUU which has shut down public universities since February 14 over the failure of the government to meet its demands.
Also, the protest is expected to hold in all the state capitals in the country from today, July 26 till tomorrow, July 27, 2022.
In order to forestall any breakout of violence, a top source in police said several police have been deployed in all protest venues nationwide.
The police source said, “Of course, we will deploy our men; that is standard procedure. Our duty is to ensure the safety of lives and property during any public protest or rally. We can’t stop the unions or other Nigerians from holding rallies or peaceful protests.’’
The protest is also coming in defiance of the warning by the Federal government.
The New Diplomat had also reported that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who spoke last weeks Wednesday said the NLC protest was illegal.
Mohammed said the members of the NLC has no business in the ongoing tussle between ASUU and FG. He accused the congress of being motivated by partisan interests, saying it was supposed to be “completely insulated from politics.”
Mohammed warned the NLC against holding such protests, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari had already directed relevant authorities to resolve the issue.
Mohammed said, “The NLC is not a political party. The NLC can go on strike or protest if the rights of the NLC members are involved. What the NLC is planning in the next few days is about interest. There’s no dispute whatsoever between NLC as a body with the Federal Government.
“Well yes, there’s a dispute between some members of the NLC, ASUU and the federal government, which is being looked into. And NLC itself is a party to the committee that is looking into the solution.
“So, calling out people on street protest; you begin to wonder, what is the motive of the NLC in this matter? But you see here, we do not interrogate what the NLC is doing. The NLC by its own laws cannot even give out pamphlets. And the NLC is supposed to be completely insulated from politics.”
It would be recalled that ASUU had embarked on a one-month warning strike on February 14 to press home its demand for the implementation of the October 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions(NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists(NAAT) later joined the industrial action.
In May, the ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, announced the extension of the three-month prolonged strike by an additional three months.
