President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has advised President Bola Tinubu to engage in dialogue with the leaders of the groups planning to protest against the country’s economic hardship.
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigerians, particularly youths, are planning for a nationwide protest from August 1st to 10th to draw attention to the country’s prevailing economic hardship.
Ajaero emphasised that protesting is a right of citizens, and the government should listen to their grievances.
In a statement, Ajaero highlighted the dire economic situation, citing statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which show that millions of Nigerians live below the poverty line and face acute hunger. He described the situation as “deep deprivation and acute want.”
Ajaero warned that dismissing the protesters’ concerns as “sponsored political dissent” is condescending and dismissive. Instead, he urged the government to show empathy and address the citizens’ demands. He noted that the protesters are not motivated by politics but by the need for a better life.
The NLC President cautioned the Federal Government against hostility towards the protesters, stressing that dialogue is essential during these difficult times.
He urged President Tinubu to invite the protest leaders for discussions, saying, “A stitch in time might still save nine. Solidarity forever.”
