The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given its full support to the Central Working Committee’s (CWC) decision to organize a nationwide protest on August 2, 2023. The protest aims to address the recent fuel price hike and demand that the federal government reverses its anti-poor policies.
The endorsement by NEC followed the issuance of a protest notice by the congress, which prompted the federal government’s negotiation committee to convene an emergency meeting just two days prior.
NEC stated that it had thoroughly examined the current socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers and the general population during a meeting held on Thursday, leading them to stand firmly behind the decisions made by the CWC during their meeting on July 25.
In a communique signed by Comrade Joseph Ajaero, the national president of the NLC, and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the secretary-general, the council re-affirmed its support for all the resolutions made by the CWC.
Furthermore, NEC expressed its dissatisfaction with the federal government’s lack of seriousness in creating mechanisms to alleviate the impact of the petrol price increase. This was evident not only in the government’s representation during the hastily called meeting on Wednesday but also in its unpreparedness to address the issues raised.
In response to the government’s perceived insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians, NEC has established strategy committees in all states. They have called upon all affiliates, state councils, and civil society organizations to actively participate in the nationwide protest, commencing on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
The protest aims to send a strong message to the government, demanding a reversal of the fuel price hike and an end to policies that negatively impact the welfare of the people.
