The Nigeria Labour Congress has alleged that the Federal Government is waging a war against the organization following a recent security raid on its headquarters.
According to The PUNCH, during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, NLC leaders rejected the police’s justification for the raid, demanding an official apology, the return of seized items, and the immediate release of detained individuals.
The NLC further condemned what it perceives as government interference in its internal operations, particularly criticizing the proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
The organization argued that such measures violate both national labor laws and international conventions.
In response to the police’s claim that the raid was intended to capture an international terrorist suspect, the NLC dismissed the explanation as a cover-up, highlighting inconsistencies in the police’s narrative.
The Congress reiterated its call for a stakeholders’ conference to address urgent national concerns, such as widespread hunger, poverty, and insecurity.
Additionally, it urged the government to cease meddling in opposition parties’ affairs and instead focus on meaningful dialogue with Nigerians.
The NLC also issued a warning, holding the police accountable for any future incidents at its headquarters or any harm to its leaders and members.
“The Registrar of Trade Unions, acting on orders from above, wrote a letter threatening our relationship with the Labour Party, citing Section 15 subsections 2, 3, 4 of the Trade Unions Act. In their bid to suppress our voice, they forgot the provisions of Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Supreme Court’s decision on the right of public servants to hold political views, the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as ILO Conventions 87 and 98,” it said.
The NLC emphasized that the government’s efforts to reduce the tenure of trade union leaders to just two years represent a gross interference in the internal affairs of unions, contravening labor laws and International Labour Organization standards.
The organized labour also clarified that, despite being known for their activism, they had no involvement in the recent ‘End-Hunger’ protest, distancing themselves from any alleged participation.
“We did not participate in the End-Hunger protest. The government should not falsely implicate us in something we had no part in. We, therefore, demand the release of all those in custody, including NUEE executive Comrade Opalua Eleojo, who was arrested at a social spot in Abuja,” the NLC said.
The NLC concluded by advising the government to halt any further acts of intimidation against the Congress and, by extension, against the broader Nigerian populace.
