Protest: NLC Dares Police, Says Notification Not Needed

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The Nigeria Labor Congress has said there is no need for its leaders to notify the police of its two-day nationwide protest scheduled for July 26-27, 2022.

The demonstration is in solidarity with the strikers of the University Academic Staff Union and other public university unions.

The union insisted that the law did not stipulate that the police must be informed of protests in the country.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the congress had in a circular signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja dated July 15, 2022 , informed his affiliates about the street rally to pressure the government to accede to ASUU's demands.

Protests would be held in all state capitals and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Force's public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, had in an interview with The PUNCH, advised organized labor to inform the police so that the force could deploy security officers for the rally.

“It is always advisable to inform the police before a demonstration. This is to ensure the safety of protesters and to prevent the protest from being hijacked by thugs. All we need is the day they have to hold the protest, the routes and the purpose of the protest,” he said.

However, responding to a police request on Monday, NLC Deputy General Secretary Echezona Asuzu quashed Adejobi's statement, saying the union had no legal obligation to inform the police of his rally.

"We don't have to tell them (the police); there's nothing in the law that says we have to tell the police. It's a matter of courtesy", said Asuzu.

When asked if Congress would notify police of the protest, he said he could not answer the question.