NLC Protest: Ndume Takes Swipe At Police Officers, Urges Tinubu To Negotiate With Labour

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, on Wednesday, frowned at Police officers at the National Assembly entrance gate over the refusal to allow the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to gain access to the Assembly complex to present their demands.

Naija News earlier reported that members of the Organised Labour kicked down the first gate of the National Assembly complex and forced their way into the premises.

The protesters, led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Festus Osifo, had earlier asked security operatives stationed at the legislative building to open the gate to allow the angry workers to express their displeasure.

Following the failure of the security officials to adhere, angry protesters pulled down the gate and subsequently moved to the second gate of the Assembly Complex.

Speaking at the rally, Joe Ajaero, said Nigerians are suffocating under the present administration as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant hike in fuel prices.

The Senate Chief Whip, who represented the upper legislative chamber leadership, condemned the blocking of the workers from having access to the National Assembly, asserting that it was the poor that are always fighting against the poor.

He pleaded with the organised labour to suspend the protest and give the National Assembly one week to look into their grievances and demands.

Ndume also said that President Bola Tinubu or the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, should directly negotiate with organised labour.

He also urged Tinubu to listen to Nigerians, and not the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund, IMF, whose policies they claimed are anti-people.