Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s response to the protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against economic hardship in the country.
While speaking at the Lagos red line inauguration, on Thursday, Tinubu accused the labour union of eyeing his position.
Tinubu claimed that organised labour does not represent the sole opinions of the Nigerian people, saying if the organisation wants to contest for the presidency, it should wait till 2027.
The president said it was unacceptable for NLC to call for a strike within the first nine months of his administration.
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Reacting to the president’s statement during a programme on Arise Television, on Sunday, Sowore said when the ruling party wanted to take over power, it didn’t wait for election time.
Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) during the 2023 general election, said the president no longer respects NLC, urging civil society organisations (CSOs) to devise means of protesting the plight of Nigerians independently.
“Tinubu is also saying something that I think should be important for everybody and that is to develop new voices because he no longer respects the NLC,” Sowore said.
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“The civil society movement in the country should also stop waiting opportunistically for a labour strike before we strike on our own.
“Let’s flood the streets tomorrow; he will know that there are real voices.
“They practically hijacked Occupy Nigeria in 2012. That was where the APC started their political movement. Goodluck Jonathan had not enjoyed power for up to nine months when the occupation of Nigeria happened.
“Why would you say that the NLC should go and wait till 2027? NLC has already told you that they have hardship issues. The only thing that has not changed since Tinubu came into power is minimum wage.”
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