The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been accused of a “grand plot” to “destabilize” the country.
The Civil Society Situation Room on Good Governance in Nigeria (CSSR-GGN) raised the alarm at a recent press conference in Abuja.
In a statement co-signed by Dr. Thomas Terna Uzah, executive director/national convener, the group alleged that the NLC is “being sponsored by the opposition to cause chaos.”
The group further claimed that the labour union “has already been mobilized with $5 million” to carry out its plan.
“It is shocking that despite these glaring realities and the dangers of reinstating subsidies, which will collapse the economy and create intractable distortions, NLC is leading and coordinating other groups to sabotage the federal government,” the group said according to Guardian.
“It is of note that NLC’s insistence on the strike is despite the government’s engagement with its leadership to explore options for addressing its demands. This raised our suspicion that the union may not be upfront with Nigerians as to the true intent of its industrial action.
“Since we do not want to be caught unawares, we want to tell NLC in clear terms that we dare them to go on an indefinite strike, and the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room will take all legitimate measures to protect Nigerians from the hardship they want to put the country through.
“We are acquiring more specific details about the NLC’s dealing with the opposition, and sadly, with some foreign interests. We will provide these details to Nigerians when the need arises.”
The CSOs, therefore, urged “all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the youth, not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodder for achieving some people’s narrow objective.”
Meanwhile, NLC president, Joe Ajaero, has insisted that the planned nationwide strike is due to the failure of President Tinubu’s government to meet its demands since the removal of fuel subsidy.
“From item one to item seven, nothing has been achieved. That is the height of insensitivity. We are in an emergency; asking for more time is a crime,” Ajaero declared in an interview with AriseTV.
