NLC plans nationwide protest over insecurity, warns against foreign military intervention

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a notice to stage a nationwide protest against the persistent insecurity, killings, and mass abductions plaguing the country, particularly targeting school children.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, declared that Nigerians have “had enough” and it is time to stop armed bandits and terrorists who are operating freely.

He cited the recent abduction of school children in Kebbi State and the troubling alleged withdrawal of soldiers from the school’s vicinity just before the attack, vowing that the protest would demand answers and an end to the violence.

While a specific date was not announced, it will be set following the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos.

Speaking at the same NEC opening, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, strongly opposed any foreign military intervention in Nigeria’s security crisis, warning it would be counter-productive and a severe risk to national sovereignty.

He cautioned against desperation leading to calls for foreign forces, referencing Nigeria’s historical rejection of such pacts and pointing to destabilizing outcomes in countries like Libya.

Falana argued that the primary duty to protect lives and property lies with the Nigerian government, urging the NLC and civil society to pressure the administration to prove that Nigeria “is not a conquered people.”

He also emphasized the inviolable right of workers to unionize.

In related decisions, Ajaero announced the withdrawal of all NLC members from committees within the two factions of the Labour Party, a move intended to allow for a strategic re-evaluation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also called on the federal government to honor all existing agreements with university and health sector unions.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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