Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the organisedLabour to shelve its proposed strike action and give peace a chance. The NLC had declared a two-day nationwide mass protest for February 27 and 28, over the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing.
Spokesman of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, who gave the warning, yesterday, noted that its agency’s attention was drawn to plans by sections of labour to stage protests between February 27 and 28, 2024 in parts of the country over sundry economic issues.
The statement reads: “The DSS calls on parties to pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions. This is more so that the service is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence.
“The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country. It is common knowledge that all levels of government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and should be given the benefit of the doubt.”
BUT Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the call by the DSS to shelve its planned strike.
A statement by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, tagged ‘History Will Not Forgive Us If…’ yesterday, said the Congress would not have itself blackmailed or lied against by the DSS, stressing that the protest would be a peaceful one against the unpardonable hardship and high cost of living facing Nigerians, including the DSS.
Ajaero, who said the NLC refused to be cowed by the DSS’ statement, said: “We cannot fold our hands and pretend all is well. That will be a grievous conspiracy that history will not forgive.
“We are equally intrigued by the innuendos of the Service, their philosophy of “peace” and wild allegations and we want to reassure them that no one loves this country more than us and, in our honour, we would never do anything that would compromise its sovereignty or security.”
