#EndBadGovernance: NLC Sends 7 Fresh Demands To Tinubu Government
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised its voice to make a stern demand from the administration of President Bola Tinubu: it must immediately reverse what it termed “ill-conceived” policies that have further grounded the country in hardships and resulted in protests across the land.
This is after scores of the protestors have already been killed by security personnel amid the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
Adesina Ogunlana, Popular Activist-Lawyer, Dies After Celebrating 60th Birthday
The NLC, in a communique afterward its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, accused the government of attempting to undermine citizens’ rights to protest over economic challenges inflicted through the failure of policies.
Reaffirming its stance and calling on President Tinubu to act swiftly to stop the unrest, the congress has said it would not accept any of such excuses for killings.
Atiku Calls for Justice as Nigerian Army’s Fatal Shooting Admission Sparks Outrage
”The NEC-in-session noted that Government cannot hope to stop a democratic protest by threatening the people who are already losing their lives by the unrepentant massacre of unarmed protesters by the Police but by concrete actions and reasonable dialogue.”.
It also condemned the government for failing to heed the warnings on the implications of subsidy removal without caution. It pointed that the government policy was ill-thought, as the aftermath has led to untold misery and hardship for many Nigerians.
The NEC expressed deep concern over the violence by the government in reacting to peaceful protests and condemned the killings and maiming of civilians and the protesters by security forces.
The union described such suppression of the right to protest as a basic undemocratic act that is underpinned by around-the-world principles. This has been the union’s reaction to the government’s attempt to create treacherous components and the use of sponsored thugs and propaganda in an attempt to dampen the protests.
“The NEC is deeply concerned about the high-handed and mismanaged response by the government to the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests. Instead of addressing the legitimate and fundamental grievances of the people, the government has resorted to violence, resulting in the killing and maiming of several civilians by the police in many parts of the country,” continued the statement.
The NLC has specifically demanded policies that centre on people’s needs for relief, job creation, and the democratization of utilities following fair principles as a reaction to the unfolding crisis.
It further demanded immediate relief measures and subsidies in essential commodities to avert the looming suffering of the working people and laboring masses in the country.
The demand was driven by the fact that it required the national leadership to declare a National Day of Mourning as a mark of respect for those maimed and who lost their lives in the protests.
The union also demanded independent investigations into the killings and maiming of the protesters, in which it demanded that the perpetrators responsible be brought to book and justice be served to the victims as well as their families.
“NEC-in-session is urging the government to continue engaging in meaningful, peaceful dialogue through its representatives with the aggrieved protesters, members of civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in resolving all the issues at stake to end the national carnage,” it said.
It also said that Nigerians workers should remain united in their demands for better governance and that solidarity they said was their strength. The union directed all workers across the country to continue taking actions to protect themselves from the protests and to amplify the voices of the people in demanding justice and accountability.
This is coming at a time when the country is going through hard times economically, with protests running amuck; therefore, the NLC demand for accountability and urgent relief measures has only helped to attach more urgency to the needs of Nigerians.
Very importantly, the action of the union has called for a government that prioritizes the life of its citizens and welfare, ensuring that all fundamental rights of the Nigerian citizens are respected.
