NLC Frowns At Being Listed As Violent Group

Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) has expressed displeasure over enlisting the union among clandestine groups that tend to unleash violence on the streets and destabilize the country by the Department of State Services(DSS).

A press statement by the group’s President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba described the move by the DSS as unfortunate and unacceptable.

“The attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress has been drawn to a press release by the DSS lumping labour unions in a list of clandestine groups allegedly organizing to subvert public order, unleash violence on our streets and destabilize the country.

“The linking of trade unions and by extension national labour centres with such subterfuge and criminality by the DSS is indeed very unfortunate and smacks of sheer mischief.”

Wabba defended that the Nigeria Labour Congress always informs the Department of State Services and other security agencies of any of their activities especially when such is undertaken in the public space.

“It is, therefore, surprising that the DSS would suddenly decide to lump trade unions in a log of organizations with subversive intentions,” the statement added.

“Second, trade unions exist to protect the interest of their members.

“Some of the socio-economic realities pointed out by the Department of State Services in its press releases such as the current strike action by university lecturers and the scarcity of refined petroleum products are all of legitimate concern to citizens.

“Citizens have the right to draw the attention of the government to their plight through petitions, peaceful protests, and other advocacy initiatives. It would be greatly disrespectful to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our democratic order to issue statements that appear to scare citizens from their rights to peacefully engage their government."