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Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have dismissed the police's explanation for the Wednesday night raid on Labour House, Abuja, calling it misleading. During an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, NLC leaders demanded full disclosure from the Federal Government regarding the police invasion. |
At the virtual NEC meeting, Congress leaders argued that the government's explanation would determine their next steps, describing the raid as highly provocative. One NEC member, speaking to Sunday Vanguard, said: "NEC members unanimously rejected the police explanation for the raid. We believe the police are not being truthful. None of their explanations make sense. The more you try to rationalize it, the more questions arise.
"The police claimed they did not know the building was NLC's headquarters. This is false: the police headquarters is very close to Labour House, and they have deployed officers there during strikes, protests, and rallies.
"Another falsehood: the police said they were looking for someone on the second floor but first went to the 10th floor, where they abducted the NLC security guard. After their illegal operations, they took the guard to the second floor. What were they looking for on the 10th floor?
"Additionally, the bookshop on the second floor, 'Iva Valley Bookshop,' has been in Labour House for years, and the operator is well-known to the police, as some officers buy books there. Why now do they claim he is a criminal and dangerous to the state?
"Why did the police carry out the raid at such an hour when most workers had gone home? These are some of the questions that need answers.
"We demand a full explanation and disclosure from the government. The raid was very provocative. We will wait for the government's full explanation before deciding on our next steps, according to NEC resolutions. We completely reject the police explanation and demand full disclosure from the government."
**Nigeria Risks Revolt, CSO Warns FG**
A civil society organization, the Nigerian Working Group on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention, has warned that unresolved socio-economic issues could lead to a revolt. The group expressed concern that the economic and social crises in the country are pushing citizens to the brink, urging President Bola Tinubu to recognize the widespread pain among Nigerians.
National Coordinator Adewale Adeoye, along with regional coordinators Taiwo Adeleye, Werinipre Digifa, Abuka Omobaba, Kudu Abubakar, Fred Onijika, and Lawan Idris, made this statement available to Sunday Vanguard. The coordinators noted that the group toured the six geo-political zones to engage with social and cultural bodies to prevent potential ethnic and religious violence.
They stated: "Nigeria faces three major problems: the national question, which makes the definition of national interest absent; rampant corruption at all levels; and a complete breakdown of trust in public and private life. These challenges are responsible for insecurity, violent ethnic clashes, and armed rebellion in some parts of the country.
"Nigeria faces an ethnic identity crisis in the context of the scramble for resources and the distribution and ownership of national and indigenous wealth. This struggle includes the majority ethnic groups' control and the cries of ethnic minorities who feel marginalized by the political, economic, and social structures.
"While individual ethnic minorities may receive appointments, this does not resolve the historic injustices they have faced for decades. Nigeria needs a new, people-driven constitution where ethnic minorities are genuine stakeholders, not just end users of laws made without their representatives.
"Tackling corruption involves removing institutional obstacles that sustain graft, such as the extravagant salaries of politically exposed persons and the lavish lifestyles of private bank owners who mismanage public funds. Corruption fuels underdevelopment, poverty, human misery, extremism, and terrorism. Nigeria cannot fight corruption when the law itself promotes it, such as the millions allocated to lawmakers for constituency allowances in addition to their high salaries. The process of electing leaders is also marred by corruption and ineptitude, making it difficult for credible leaders to emerge. We are at a crossroads of dreadful consequences unless leaders take the right actions. With inflation at 34.2%, essentials of life beyond the reach of the common man, and food insecurity in rural and urban communities, the threat to democracy is clear."
