TUC breaks silence over planned nationwide protests

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has announced that it will not be participating in the nationwide protests planned for August 1, aimed at addressing the country’s economic challenges.

During a press briefing in Abuja, TUC President Festus Osifo clarified that the union has not been approached by any organisers of the protest and, therefore, has no plans to mobilize its members for the event.

Osifo emphasized the importance of organizing and planning when it comes to protests.

“To effectively participate in a protest, there needs to be proper communication and planning. As of now, we haven’t been contacted by anyone regarding this protest,” he explained.

He also urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and is not exploited by opportunistic elements. Osifo reminded that both the Police Act and the Nigerian Constitution mandate the police to provide adequate security and maintain order during protests.

“If we had been contacted, we might have convened a meeting to consider our involvement. However, there’s nothing to discuss at this point,” he added.

In his remarks, Osifo also critiqued the federal government’s recent decision to float the Naira, attributing the economic difficulties partly to this move. He suggested that the government address challenges in food production, especially in key agricultural regions like Benue and Plateau, and called for zero import duty on manufacturing equipment to foster job creation.

On the ongoing dispute between Dangote and various stakeholders in the petroleum sector, Osifo urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene to prevent a loss of investor confidence. He stressed the need for a unified approach to resolve the issue and called for an end to divisive statements from all parties involved.