The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) remains resolute in its determination to conduct rallies from Tuesday to Wednesday, voicing its discontent over the escalating cost of living across the nation.
Despite the Federal Government’s warnings of potential contempt proceedings, the labor union, in correspondence addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, affirmed its unwavering stance. Represented by legal counsel Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the NLC emphasized that no court injunction restrains its members from exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and express dissent against the severe economic hardships endured by the populace.
In response to the Attorney-General’s communication titled “MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REACHED BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS (TUC) AS A RESULT OF DISPUTE ARISING FROM WITHDRAWAL OF SUBSIDY ON THE PRICE OF PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT (PMS) ON MONDAY THE 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER, 2023,” the NLC reiterated its position. The labor union recalled the initiation of negotiations following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, which resulted in substantial suffering for Nigerians.
While acknowledging initial compliance with an ex parte order restraining strikes, both the NLC and TUC pursued legal avenues to challenge the jurisdiction of the order. Despite efforts to settle the matter out of court through a 16-point memorandum of understanding, the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill all agreement terms prompted nationwide peaceful protests by both unions on August 2, 2023.
Consequently, the Federal Government’s pursuit of contempt proceedings against the NLC and TUC was met with legal contestation. Despite the withdrawal of the initial contempt application, a subsequent lawsuit, Suit No NICN/ABJ/322/2023, was filed against the unions on November 10, 2023, exacerbating tensions amid unresolved disputes.
