DSS Warns NLC and TUC Against Two-Day Proposed Protest Over Economic Hardship, Says It'll Worsen Situation

In light of the severe economic difficulties, organised labour has been requested by the Department of State Services (DSS) to postpone preparations to hold protests across the nation.

Note that the NLC said on Friday that it would hold a two-day nationwide mass demonstration on February 27 and 28, 2024, in response to the dire economic conditions facing Nigerians.

However, despite acknowledging that the labour movement has a valid right to take such action, the DSS director of communications, Peter Afunanya, encouraged the body to shelve the proposal in the sake of maintaining public order and calm on Wednesday in a statement.

He said all levels of government should be given the benefit of the doubt because they are working to improve the current economic situation.

He urged guardians and parents to use their power to prevent their wards and children from engaging in actions that could endanger peace and safety in the community.

Afunanya further cautioned that the DSS will not tolerate the use of violence to resolve current issues, whether they be political, economic, or otherwise, and that the Service will cooperate with other security and law enforcement organisations to guarantee the nation's long-term stability.

The DSS further urges parties to explore communication and negotiation rather than participating in actions that could exacerbate tensions, according to a portion of the statement. More to the point, the Service knows that certain forces intend to take advantage of the protest to incite widespread violence and create a catastrophe. There is no doubt that the development will make the socioeconomic conditions worse across the nation.

Since all governmental levels are known to be working to improve the current state of the economy, they should be given the benefit of the doubt. To date, the relevant authorities have been diligently collaborating with various stakeholders to devise strategies aimed at resolving the existing issues. Thus, it is appropriate to provide them the opportunity to manage the current obstacles at hand.

In this spirit, the public is urged to acknowledge that problems that are not resolved during peacetime will not be resolved during a conflict. We are poignantly reminded of the potential perils of intensified hostilities by the classic poem "The Casualties" by the great poet J.P. Clark. Everyone will be a victim during difficult times.

—Legit Net News