The Middle-Belt Forum (MBF) has said that President Bola Tinubu should have commended the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) rather than tackle the labour body for organising a peace protest across the country.
Recall that during the commissioning of the Lagos red line train on Thursday, the President faulted the NLC for carrying out a protest on Tuesday, which the labour body tagged: ‘Protest against hardship’. Tinubu had condemned the protest and even told the labour union to maintain peace and meet him in 2027.
National Publicity Secretary of MBF, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, while reacting to the President’s comment, told newsmen that the NLC deserved to be congratulated by the President for conducting a peaceful protest.
He said, “The statement is absolutely unnecessary; in fact, people can protest the day you took over power. Before you take over power you must have known that you’re not taking over power so that people will be dancing and celebrating, you’re taking power to solve problems. The very essence of power is problem solving, providing security, improving the economy, education, health and all aspects of life. Whatever you’re doing you cannot assume that you’re absolutely right. What you may think is right may be quite below the expectation of some people. So, you learn to accept it, which is why I talked about constructive criticism, even if it is not constructive, you shouldn’t condemn it.
“To say that Organised Labour shouldn’t go on protest is not appropriate. I’m not restricting this to democracy, whatever type of government, the people have the right to protest if they feel dissatisfied with what is happening. If their protest is right, continue to do what is right and improve on it, and if the protest is wrong, look at it very critically and find out the lessons to learn from it. Ensure you do what is right for the sake of the people. Any leader should be ready to face protest under any situation. Thank God that it was not even a violent protest, but a peaceful protest.
“What I expected the President to do was to have congratulated labour for a peaceful protest and I think all Nigerians should congratulate labour for a peaceful protest. The government should find ways and means through which to address the issues raised by labour which necessitated the protest.
“Before the labour protest, different groups from the different parts of the country were already protesting. If they was no labour and there was protest and labour only came in to conduct a peaceful protest that is kudos to labour. They should be praised. I think labour has done very well and they shouldn’t stop protesting, until all the problems are addressed. They should do it within the confines of the law.
