The planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the removal of petrol subsidy has sparked a row with the Department of State Services (DSS), which has advised the labour body to call off the action.
Another labour centre, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has also distanced itself from the protest, calling it a “unilateral action” by the NLC.
The NLC had announced a two-day protest for Tuesday and Wednesday, following the expiration of its two-week ultimatum for the government to fully implement the 16-point agreement reached last October.
However, the DSS opposed the protest, saying it could be exploited by miscreants to cause disorder.
But the NLC rejected DSS’ claim, saying the protest would be peaceful. It wondered when the secret service became the “spokesperson for the government”.
