- The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) claimed the Department of State Services (DSS) raided its headquarters in Abuja
- The alleged invasion has prompted reactions from some statesmen and organisations
- TheRadar compiled reactions from Abubakar Atiku, Amnesty International and others below
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) raided and removed some documents in the NLC headquarters in Abuja at about 8:30 PM on Wednesday, August 7.
The alleged invasion prompted reactions from some statesmen, including statements from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi; human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN; Amnesty International; and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Such invasion is condemnable - Atiku Abubakar
Reacting to the incident, Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, condemned the invasion via a statement from his Media adviser, Mr Paul Ibe.
The statement read, “The invasion of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by persons believed to be security operatives, whether singly or as a combined team, stands condemned,”
“The practice of such raids without a valid court order and in the wee hours of the day reflects the current administration’s desire to hold on to the vestiges of military dictatorship which the NLC, civil society and the media fought so hard to end and birth the democratic rule we enjoy today,”
“Events of the last couple of weeks have shown this administration’s growing obsession with militarization of our polity,”
“They are trying to suppress civil liberties and silence the media. Just the other day, they had protesters shot at and some killed for daring to protest the hardships this administration’s policies have unleashed on the people,”
“This administration must be told in clear terms that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and those who do not share the same views with government must be allowed to air their views.’’
Invasion an attempt to intimidate NLC - Peter Obi
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, condemned the act through a statement delivered by his Media Aide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko.
The statement read, “The NLC as an organization, fights for the rights of the majority of Nigerian workers and their officials are accessible,”
“If any of our security agencies desire to see them, the proper thing to do is to invite them and I know they are law-abiding; they will honour such invitations,”
“Invading their offices, especially after office hours, is an attempt to intimidate them. This has no place in a democracy.’’
Femi Falana calls on IGP to get perpetrators
Reacting to the incident, a human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN said, “Yesterday (Wednesday), the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress at Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory was invaded and occupied by armed security forces,”
“The invasion was apparently designed to silence the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress for having the temerity to criticize the harassment of the #endbadgovernance protesters by the police and other security agencies,”
“The invasion is a shameful reminder of the armed invasion of the NLC Secretariat on February 28, 1988, following the loss of the post of the president of the congress at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the Congress by the stooge of Ibrahim Babangida’s military junta,”
“As if the invasion was not enough, the reactionary forces in power at the material time proceeded to seize the secretariat and impose a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the Congress for over a year,”
“Two years earlier, security operatives had detained NLC leaders, including its president, Comrade Ali Chiroma, who died a few months ago. The Gestapo tactic on that tragic occasion was to forestall a nationwide protest in response to police killings of Ahmadu Bello University students,”
“For genuine democrats, it’s utterly regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the dark days of military dictatorship,”
“It is incontestable that it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation, hence, the State Security Service has denied its involvement in the invasion,”
“However, the official denial of the State Security Service in the repressive activity is not sufficient. We are, therefore, compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to order an inquiry into the identities of the perpetrators of the illegal invasion. This should not be a case of unknown invaders!”
Calculated attempt to intimidate NLC - Amnesty International
Amnesty International condemned the act in a statement by its Country Director, Isa Sanusi.
Sanusi said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel,”
“The chilling raid last night (Wednesday) appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union,”
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials. Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.”
“Under international human rights law, Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse,” Sanusi added.
TUC condemns act, demands detailed investigation
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) in a statement by its President, Festus Osifo criticised the invasion and insisted on a detailed investigation into the occurrence.
The statement read, “The TUC condemns the Wednesday night’s invasion of the Labour House, headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja, by security operatives,”
“The reported confiscation of books from the NLC library, allegedly in search of ‘End Bad Governance’ materials, is a troubling act that raises serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression,”
“This action represents an overreach by security forces and poses a threat to the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression,”
“We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information,”
“The TUC calls on the Federal Government to immediately launch a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible for authorizing and executing this operation must be held accountable,”
“We demand the prompt return of all seized materials to the NLC library and an explanation for this unjustified action,”
“Nigerians must be reassured that their rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the confines of the law, respecting the freedoms guaranteed under our constitution.”
“No credibility, no solution”: Atiku, Wole Soyinka, others react to Tinubu’s nationwide address
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the President’s address on the fourth day of the nationwide #Endbadgovernance protests against the hardship and economic crises in the country was criticised by many.
Reacting to the broadcast, Atiku said the President's speech failed to address the challenges confronting Nigerians. Wole Soyinka also reacted, pointed out that the broadcast did not address the violent actions of security forces on protesters.