Protesters in the FCT marched from the Unity Fountain to the National Assembly where they broke the gate and entered into the complex. Photo: Radio Nigeria
The Nigeria Labour Congress has issued an ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the withdrawal of a lawsuit against the union regarding their nationwide protest on Wednesday.
NLC President Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, in a statement on Thursday said if the court summons was not retracted by Friday, August 11, the Congress will initiate a nationwide strike on Monday, August 14.
It said the decision was made during its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The Organised Labour had on Wednesday embarked on nationwide protest driven by the perceived delay by the government to provide relief from economic hardships resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, the protest which was supposed to continue on Thursday was suspended after the leadership of the NLC and TUC met with President Bola Tinubu.
Following the protest, the Federal Ministry of Justice had filed a contempt of court against the union through the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
The NLC in the statement alleged that the Ministry of Justice and NICN was trying to truncate the tenets of democracy and silence the voice of Nigerian worker.
The Union noted that though it had agreed to suspend its protests based on its meeting with the President, it will embark on a nationwide strike if the contempt of court charges was not withdrawn.
Other resolutions of the NEC meeting are to suspend further protest on the Nationwide Mass Protest, to continue to maintain the required vigilance needed to hold government accountable on its assurances and governance in general and to commit to the terminal date of August 19, within which the Issues around the Petroleum price hike will be agreed given the assurances of the President and the National Assembly.
Writing by Annabel Nwachukwu