By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have gathered at the Labour House in Abuja for the planned nationwide protest.
Joined by some civil society groups in solidarity, heads of various NLC organs who addressed the gathering said they are awaiting directives from the national leadership after it met with President Bola Tinubu last night.
The workers say they are demanding that the government take decisive action to curb insecurity in the country, which is not only threatening the nation but has also led to the loss of lives of some workers and the abduction of others.
Earlier, the union stated that an attack on any protester is an act of terrorism. This was disclosed by a statement signed by Benson Upah, NLC Acting General Secretary, on Tuesday.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which remains the vanguard of the Nigerian working class and toiling masses, has received credible and disturbing intelligence from our networks within the communities that there is a clandestine move by some unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings, to infiltrate and violently disrupt the peaceful National Day of Protest and mourning organised by workers for tomorrow; December, 17th 2025.
“These protests, as every comrade or citizen knows, are a necessary and legitimate response to the escalating reign of terror unleashed upon our nation. The industrial-scale losses of lives, kidnappings, abductions, and killings in the face of a staggering government’s indifference or weakness clearly speak to the issue.
“Our action tomorrow is therefore not just a mere procession, it is a collective act of grief, a roar of despair from the oppressed, and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security. We have lost count of the number of our members, teachers, farmers, miners and other artisans who have died to this overwhelming insecurity.
“Let this be understood by those who occupy the corridors of power and the purveyors of violence that the Congress is now officially aware of their plot to use armed thugs to attack peaceful protesters, cause mayhem, and create a pretext for violent repression.
“We name this plot for what it is, a further enabled terrorism against Nigerian citizens.
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“We issue a stern and final warning to the purveyors of this act: DESIST IMMEDIATELY. Call off your hoodlums as any attack on peacefully protesting workers will be considered a direct declaration of war on the entire Nigerian working class and its allies. The Police, having been informed of our protests and their dynamics, must act to protect the democratic rights of citizens to freely assemble and express themselves. The rights of citizens must be respected and guaranteed.
“To all the working people of Nigeria, the unemployed, the students, the traders, and all victims of insecurity, we alert you to this insidious plot. Do not be cowed. Do not be provoked. Our protest must remain peaceful, disciplined, and massive. Solidarity is our shield.
“Here is our iron-clad resolution as passed by the National Executive Council: Should a single worker, comrade, or citizen be harmed by these thugs or through escalated repression tomorrow, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to declare an immediate, comprehensive, and indefinite nationwide strike.
“All wheels of production, all services, and every sector of the national economy will be shut down completely and indefinitely. When the ruling class moves to crush a peaceful protest against their failure, they unwittingly reveal their truly undemocratic tendencies.
“The message must be clear and without equivocation; any attack on our protest will be an attack on the very engine of Nigeria. The consequence will be an escalation and a total shutdown,” the statement read.
