ABUJA, Nigeria — Organized labour in Nigeria has declared that all workers across private and public sectors will attend court proceedings in response to a contempt of court case filed against them by the Federal Government.
The decision comes amid growing protests against what demonstrators have branded as “anti-poor people” policies by the government.
In a joint statement released Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, and President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Festus Osifo, informed the nation that the unions had received a court summons charging them with contempt of court.
“To further show our collective resolve, All Nigerian workers will resume at the Courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the Court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions,” the statement read.
The planned attendance of workers from various sectors, including airports, seaports, hospitals, and schools, signifies a broad mobilization and a willingness to stand up against what many perceive as an attempt to stifle dissent.
The contempt charges follow a series of protests and strikes against government policies, and this legal action by the Federal Government seems to have galvanized workers even further.
The leaders of organized labour see the contempt charges as an attempt to silence their advocacy and dampen their protest against what they perceive as unjust government measures.
“The Airports, the Seaports, the Hospitals, Schools; all public and private sector workers will all appear in Court across the nation in response to the Contempt Charges,” the statement further emphasized, underlining the nationwide scope of this mobilization.
This collective action could disrupt normal operations in various sectors nationwide, reflecting the deep-seated grievances among the labor force.
Legal experts predict that the case will be closely watched, not just for its legal merits, but for what it signifies about the state of labor relations and the broader political climate in Nigeria.
As the court proceedings loom, the country braces for what could be a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle between the government and organized labour.
The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the freedom of assembly, expression, and the right to protest in Nigeria, marking a significant chapter in the nation’s democratic journey.
