NLC decides response today as DSS denies invasion of headquarters 

• Alleged action threat to democratic principle, says TUC
• CNPP, CLO condemn raid, abuse of democratic process
• Congress calls for day of mourning to honour persons killed during protests

The national leadership of the NLC will meet today to decide the next line of action following Wednesday’s invasion of its headquarters by armed security operatives.

General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja told The Guardian that the congress was yet to hear from the Nigerian government under whose purview the security agencies fell and why the headquarters was invaded in the night.

He said: “If they make it impossible for us to work, then we also will make it impossible for them to work. If today (yesterday) goes and we don’t hear from them, tomorrow (today), our organs will meet to decide the next action. If we can’t provide service to our members, they will stay back home because we cannot go there, as we don’t know what they must have put there.”

However, the Department of State Services (DSS) refuted reports that its officers raided the NLC’s headquarters in Abuja.

The agency’s spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said yesterday: “Good morning, dear friends. Please, note that the Service did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja.”

NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, had earlier issued a statement saying: “Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of the troop of invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja. We also demand that all the books and materials carted away by the invading operatives be returned unfailingly to where they were taken from before the end of work tomorrow (yesterday), August 8, 2024.

“We make this demand given the illegality of the operation, as there was no court order for the invasion, ransacking, and looting of the publications.

“If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured. We warn that the asphyxiation of the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are going through right now would only make matters worse.”

Also, the National Executive Council (NEC) yesterday called for a day of mourning in honour of those who were maimed and lost their lives in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a communiqué, demanded the reversal of all ill-conceived policies that have led the country to the current economic crisis.

He said the government must implement policies that prioritise the welfare of the people, create jobs and ensure fair distribution of resources.

While calling for accountability, he said there was a need for an independent investigation into the killing and maiming of protesters.

He said those responsible for the heinous acts must be held accountable, justice must be served to the victims and their families, and all the peaceful protesters held illegally and unconstitutionally in the government’s gulag must be freed without delay.

“The government must implement immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of workers and the general populace. This includes the provision of direct food aid, subsidies on essential commodities, and other social safety nets in a way that would reach the people and not be hijacked by politicians.

“The NEC-in-session condemns the continuous trivialisation of a treasonable felony by government operatives. Its constant use in every situation abuses and makes a mockery of it as a high crime against the state.

“The NEC was surprised at the vociferous outpouring of venom by the military chiefs against protesters wielding flags in an expression of hunger and wished that the same dexterity with which they made their pronouncements was also deployed in combating the insurgents and terrorists that have held various parts of our nation captive wielding weapons,” he said.

Reacting, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said the invasion represented an overreach by security forces and threatened the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression.

TUC President Festus Osifo, in a statement, said the congress considered the invasion as a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information.

He called on the Federal Government to immediately launch an investigation into the incident, saying those responsible for authorising and executing the operation must be held accountable.

He also demanded the prompt return of all seized materials to the NLC library and an explanation for the action.

According to him, Nigerians must be reassured that their rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the confines of the law, respecting the freedoms guaranteed under the nation’s Constitution.

He added that the reported confiscation of books from the NLC library, allegedly in search of #EndBadGovernance materials, was a troubling act that raises serious concerns about violating fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) denounced the raid on the NLC headquarters.

In a statement, it said: “We, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, strongly condemn the unwarranted raid on the headquarters by a team of security operatives. This Gestapo-style operation, which involved forcefully gaining entry into the offices of the labour union, is a blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”

The statement, issued by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, said: “It is appalling that this incident occurred under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was produced through opposition struggle and has presented himself as a democrat over the years.

“The CNPP demands that President Tinubu immediately call to order the security agencies that are turning Nigeria into a police state, attacking opposition voices, and hounding them into detention in a manner reminiscent of a draconian military junta.”

CNPP noted further: “While we are not advocating violent agitation or protests or distribution of inciting materials, we cannot accept the high-handedness of our security forces within civilian environments. At a time when farmers cannot farm in peace due to insecurity, the attempt to gag citizens or intimidate them into submission is unacceptable to a civilised society.”

The Conference said the approach would only embolden the masses and earn more hatred for the administration from people who are already undergoing unbearable economic pains and worsening hunger.

It warned that “if the Tinubu administration forgets that Mr President was a product of the trenches, it may be disastrous for the economy if security agencies push citizens underground through the ongoing high-handedness.”

CNPP, therefore, called on Tinubu to “respect the rights of citizens, including the NLC, and to focus on addressing the economic and security challenges facing the nation,” stressing that the Conference “will continue to speak out against any form of oppression and advocate for the rights of Nigerians under a democratic and constitutional governance where the welfare of the citizens remain a top priority at all times.”

Similarly, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) expressed shock over the invasion, saying it is an abuse of the democratic process that a government elected by the people would turn around and use its institutions of coercion to oppress the citizens.

Executive Director, Ibuchukwu Ezike, lamented that it has become common for law enforcement agencies, predominantly the police, to invade homes and offices at odd hours without court warrants.

He recalled that a similar action was carried out on August 9, 2009, at its national headquarters at 13 Soji Adepegba Close on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Our office was illegally sealed for one year with our key office materials, laptops, books and project facilities carted away till a court order vacated them from our premises. To date, the police have defiantly refused to obey the judgment of the court that ordered them to pay CLO compensation and return its stolen property.

“Also, under the Muhammad Buhari regime, police, DSS, EFCC and other repressive institutions of coercion and terror were used to terrorise, intimidate and coerce judicial officers and other men and women of impeccable, strong characters to submission,” he said.

He added: “The Nigerian authorities should allow the sleeping dog to lie as our country cannot engage in any confusion that may culminate in both human and material losses.

“Let our strong military and other security agencies divert their attention and energies to combatting the insecurity threatening Nigeria and leave the Russian flag matter alone.

“In our thinking, too, the Tinubu government should focus its mind, strength, might and intelligence more on how to address the stinking corruption in the system, hunger, poverty, insecurity and subsidy crisis threatening our country and people before the Nigerian youth return to the protest. These are the concerns of the CLO and all patriotic Nigerians, at least, for now.”