The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a demand for an apology from both the federal government and the Nigeria Police Force following a recent raid on its national headquarters in Abuja.
The incident, which took place on Wednesday night, has sparked widespread condemnation within the Labour community, leading to an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC on Saturday.
Despite the Nigeria Police Force’s claims that the NLC building was not the intended target of the operation, the Labour Centre remains unconvinced.
According to the police, the raid was part of a broader operation unrelated to the NLC’s activities.
However, the NLC dismissed this explanation as a mere afterthought, accusing the government of trying to obscure the real motives behind the invasion.
In a communique released after the NEC meeting, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero expressed the Council’s deep concerns over the invasion, which occurred shortly after a critical meeting focused on the welfare of workers amid ongoing nationwide protests against poor governance and economic hardship.
The NEC condemned the incident as an unprecedented act that poses a serious threat to the safety of Nigerian workers.
It also viewed the raid as a violation of the rights of trade unions, which are protected under both International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and the Nigerian Constitution.
In addition to the demand for a formal apology, the NEC announced plans to conduct a forensic security audit of the NLC headquarters.
The audit aims to ensure the safety of the premises, which will remain temporarily closed until the assessment is completed.
The NLC also accused the government of engaging in a systematic campaign to intimidate and oppress the Labour movement.
The NEC cited a pattern of threats, propaganda, and unfulfilled promises that it believes are designed to stifle the NLC’s efforts to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers.
The communique emphasised that the recent invasion followed a letter from the Registrar of Trade Unions, which the NLC views as part of a coordinated effort to silence its voice.
The NEC described the NLC as the last bastion of popular dissent in Nigeria and warned against any attempts to undermine its operations.
The NEC’s resolutions went beyond the immediate demand for an apology.
The Council called for the immediate release of detained trade unionists and an end to the harassment of individuals with opposing views.
In a show of solidarity with those who have lost their lives during recent protests against widespread hunger, the NLC also proposed a National Day of Mourning.
Additionally, the Labour Centre urged the government to convene an inclusive stakeholders’ dialogue to address the root causes of the ongoing unrest in the country.
The NLC emphasised that the recent protests, which it did not officially organize, were a response to the severe economic challenges facing millions of Nigerians.
“The NEC calls on the government to guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerian workers, trade unions, and the NLC and TUC to operate freely within the country without fear of harm or violence,” the communique stated.
The NLC further demanded that the government withdraw its agents from all premises they have allegedly occupied illegally.
This includes the headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos.
