The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to engage in discussions with the leaders of the upcoming protest to address their grievances. In a statement titled “Mr President should listen to the cry of the people,” signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC emphasized the widespread discontent among Nigerians due to the country’s current economic hardship.
The NLC expressed its concern about the severe economic conditions that have left many families struggling to afford even one meal a day. The statement reads in part: “As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances.”
“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy. A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin is now seen as luxury beckons for serious intervention by government.”
This sentiment is supported by recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed that about 133 million Nigerians live below the extreme poverty line. Additionally, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported that in the first three quarters of 2024, approximately 32 million Nigerians faced acute hunger. When these figures are combined with the millions of unemployed and under-employed individuals, the depth of the hardship, frustration, and despair experienced by many Nigerians becomes evident.
“The truth is that Nigerians have been hard pushed and super pressed right against the walls of deep deprivation and acute want.”
“It is, therefore, condescending and dismissive to describe the daily brutish ordeal that Nigerians are going through as a sponsored political dissent. Even if it is so, it is still within the confines of citizens’ rights to protest on political grounds.”
“Just that the current unease in the country does not need political motivation to spark and splurge. All that the hurting citizens demand from their government is a listening ear and an empathetic heart.”
“Maybe, that is what the organisers of the protest are looking for given their continued notices on different social media platforms.”
The NLC further highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the economic downturn. “It is very difficult to tell a Nigerian who has lost his or her job due to the current economic downturn to maintain their cool. It is very tough to advise a nursing mother who is unsure where the next meal for her suckling child to be at ease.”
“It is a herculean task to demand patience from a youth who has been out of school for the past six years without a job and is burdened with aged parents to cater for. During this very difficult times, the right of Nigerians to complain must be fully respected.”
The Organized Labour movement, led by the NLC, has recently protested against the severe suffering caused by the government’s harsh economic policies. These policies include the sharp increase in the price of refined petroleum products, the rising cost of electricity coupled with its unavailability, and the unconscionable rise and duplication of user access charges for public utilities, including hospital treatment, water, waste disposal, and the general spike in the cost of living.
“It is the well-considered position of the Congress that bellicosity and hostility towards the protesters and other aggrieved Nigerians do not offer any tangible remedy either to the pain endured by the populace or the frustrations of having so little in a country where a few privileged persons are living in obscene luxury especially at the expense of the majority.”
“These are dire times. Nigerians are angry. The times require government to “jaw jaw” and not “war war” with Nigerians. The truth is that you cannot smack a child and at the same time ask the child not to cry. A stitch in time might still save nine! Solidarity Forever!”
The NLC’s plea to the President highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for the government to engage in constructive dialogue with the protesters. The organization underscores that the grievances of the protesters are not politically motivated but are genuine concerns arising from the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians. The call for dialogue is seen as a necessary step to alleviate the suffering of the masses and to address the underlying issues causing widespread discontent.
The NLC’s statement is a powerful reminder of the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria and the need for empathetic and proactive governance. By addressing the grievances of the protesters and working towards solutions that benefit the majority, the government can help to restore hope and stability in the country.
In conclusion, the NLC’s appeal to President Bola Tinubu to engage with the leaders of the protest is a call for understanding and action. It highlights the critical need for the government to listen to the voices of its citizens and to take meaningful steps to address their concerns. As the nation grapples with severe economic challenges, the NLC’s message underscores the importance of solidarity, empathy, and constructive dialogue in navigating these difficult times.
