National
Strike: Group Blasts NLC/TUC For Holding 99% Nigerians Hostage
ABUJA:The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has lambasted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their ongoing strike action, accusing them of holding the entire country hostage for the benefit of a tiny minority.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the group’s Director of Strategic Communications, Ismaila Umar Ali on Tuesday.
In a scathing statement, the DWI condemned the labour unions’ ‘selfish and reckless’ demands, warning that their actions would further exacerbate Nigeria’s already dire economic situation.
The group noted that the strike has caused widespread hardship, with millions of Nigerians struggling to access basic services and make ends meet.
“It is unconscionable that a tiny fraction of the population, less than 1%, is holding the entire country to ransom, causing untold hardship and suffering for the majority,” the statement read.
“This is a stark reminder of the dangers of selfishness and the need for collective responsibility.”
The DWI criticized the unions’ demand for the salary increase, noting that it would only serve to worsen Nigeria’s inflationary trend and burden the already struggling masses.
“At a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges, it is irresponsible for the labour unions to prioritize their own interests over the welfare of the nation,” the group said.
The DWI urged the government to stand firm and prioritize the welfare of the majority, rather than caving to the demands of a vocal minority.
“The government must not succumb to the pressure of the labour unions, but rather must prioritize the interests of all Nigerians.”
“The labour unions must recognize that their actions have consequences and engage in meaningful negotiations that prioritize the welfare of all Nigerians, not just their own members, ” they added
Furthermore, the DWI called on the labour unions to consider the long-term effects of their actions and engage in constructive dialogue with the government.
DWI emphasized that the strike action is a selfish and reckless move that will only serve to worsen Nigeria’s economic situation. It urged all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of the nation and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Police authorities have called on the organisers of a nationwide protest billed for April 7, 2025, to shelve the plan.
The Take-It-Back (TIB) movement had scheduled a nationwide protest for Monday, April 7, 2025, citing several national issues.
However, in a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muyiwa Adejobi, described the protest as ill-timed, especially as it coincided with the National Police Day celebration.
“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day,” the police statement read.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole. The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”
According to the Nigeria Police Force, the organisers should instead give room for dialogue with the government.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands,” the police said.
A longlist of notable politicians including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi are in talks to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This is according to the SDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election Adewole Adebayo.
Adebayo said Atiku and Obi’s men are in talks for their principals to team up with the SDP, which recently welcomed a former Kaduna State governor and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (SDP) into its fold.
“People are joining my party, and we are welcoming them. You can see how active I am in welcoming them. The only little issue we have with some of them is to change the culture where if you have not been in an environment where rules are taken seriously,” the SDP chieftain said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“Some of them are doing some Boy Scouts, black market operations, we are dealing with that. But we welcome them into the party. All these people you have mentioned, El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, even former Governor Peter Obi are coming. A lot of people are coming, and we will welcome them.”
When he was asked to clarify if Obi, a former Anambra State governor, is joining the SDP, Adebayo said, “Supposedly, until somebody joins, we don’t know. But people have told me, and the Financial Secretary (SDP) has also informed me, that they are talking. So we will welcome everybody.
“Surely, when we come in, and we don’t become a tower of Babel; if we come in, follow the rules and allow one person to emerge transparently, clearly, without cheating, without criminality the way we did our convention in 2022, people applauded us transparently, no court case, no crisis, no allegations.
“If they can stick to our culture and follow the way we do in the SDP and produce a good alternative to Nigerians, we are going to manifestly defeat the APC and retire President Tinubu to Lagos or wherever he chooses in Nigeria.”
Obi, who enjoys the backing of millions of Nigerian youths, came third in the last presidential election after polling about six million votes.
Atiku was second in the poll won by the APC’s Bola Tinubu.
Despite suggestions to the contrary, Obi has repeatedly said he remains in LP, the party that powered his 2023 presidential ambition.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted cocaine hidden inside the walls of several suitcases.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a post on Sunday, attaching the videos of the seized contraband on X.
He decried a situation whereby the smugglers went to extreme lengths, factory-fitting the hard drugs within the luggage with surgical precision.
“Narco-trend update: Strewing the walls of suitcases, in factory fitting precision, with cocaine, must have taken lot of efforts and resources but at the end #ndlea_nigeria officers still uncovered all as revealed in these videos that captured the latest seizure by #ndlea,” the statement read.
According to the video released by the agency, officers were slicing through suitcase linings to remove the hidden cocaine.