The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decided to call off its planned nationwide protest after just one day, extending the ultimatum given to the federal government to fulfill their agreements until March 13, 2024.
In a statement issued by its President, Joe Ajaero, and Acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello, the NLC stated that the key objectives of the two-day protest had been achieved on the first day, prompting the suspension of the strike.
The statement reads: “To suspend street action for the second day of the protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.
“However, Nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.
“To reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.
“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.
The decision to suspend the protest came after the NLC had declared a two-day nationwide protest over the rising prices and general economic hardship in the country, citing the government’s failure to fulfill its side of the agreement reached with the union in October 2023.
The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to defending and promoting the interests of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses, emphasizing that further lines of action would be decided if the government fails to comply with the demands after the expiration of the extended ultimatum.