The Labour Civil Society Front, a coalition of eminent civil society leaders and groups collaborating with the labour movement on “pro- people, pro-poor issues in Nigeria,” has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) nationwide protest, slated for today and tomorrow.
The group assured of their support in a statement jointly signed by the national spokesperson, Labour-Civil Society Front (LCSF), Comrade (Amb) Nkoyo Toyo; spokesperson, United Action Front of Civil Society, Mallam Hamisu San Turaki and Convener, Country First Movement, Professor Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr and made available to journalists in Abuja, on Monday.
The statement read, “We are unwavering in our support to the organised labour and therefore fully endorse the nationwide mass protest on hardship slated to hold on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 27 and 28.
“We urge our teeming members and allies across Nigeria to join and participate fully in the peaceful national protest to draw government’s attention to the unmitigated sufferings and impoverishment of Nigerians foisted by the mindless implementation of dehumanising economic policies of governments at both national and sub-national levels of the country.
“Our decision to align with the organised labour on this mass action does not in any way have any political, ethnic or religious colouration, as hunger, declining health and orchestrated deaths ravaging Nigerian citizens have not been discriminatory on grounds of political affiliation, ethnic and religious sentiments.
“As a responsible citizens’ group, we wish to clarify that our nationwide mass action is aimed at compelling government to take immediate positive action on: the general insecurity of lives and properties of Nigerians that has led to many untimely and avoidable deaths and the abject poverty and pauperisation of everyday Nigerians and the associated sufferings and hunger ravaging the country.”
“Others are the pervading crimes and kidnappings for ransom that have forced farmers to abandon their sources of livelihood, thereby, triggering food insecurity and hopelessness; the crash of the value of the Naira, almost making it worthless and leading to the escalating cost of everyday necessities in the midst of mind-boggling youth unemployment; the unconscionable increase in school fees and the non-implementation of student loan, both forcing children of the poor out of public schools and further complicating their future; the extremely high cost of healthcare services and drugs which has further deprived families of the quality of health needed. It is regrettable to watch the speedy decline of health capabilities in Nigeria and the growing numbers of Nigerians who have been forced to resort to alternative medicine or resign to fate.”
“For us, this is the time to ask the government of President Bola Tinubu to halt this avoidable slide, act in the overarching interest of masses by listening to their demands and draw immediate positive actions that go beyond countless unpredictable cosmetic palliatives to its primary obligation to protect lives and property and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of all citizens.
“It is the right of Nigerians to protest and be protected as citizens while protesting peacefully as envisaged by the Nigerian constitution. What the country is faced with today are dehumanising and disempowering state policies, which must be addressed as a matter of national emergency.
“We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to provide security to cover this peaceful protest as provided by section 83(4) of the Police Act and by extension the Nigerian constitution. We trust that taking a cue from there, the DSS will also provide credible and useful information to government as this will work to ensure the good governance of Nigeria instead of throwing up panicky propaganda.
“We have no doubt that our nationwide mass protest will foist the much needed national conversation in setting agenda for improving the terrible welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians, a conversation which must be with the citizens and not government speaking with their agents.”
