Chief Tola Adeniyi, veteran journalist and former managing director of old Daily Times of Nigeria, has cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against its characteristic act of inciting the masses against the government.
Adeniyi’s admonition is coming on the heels of the nationwide protest held by NLC on Tuesday against the unintended negative effects of the Federal Government’s economic policies.
Although the strike was billed to continue today but the workers’ union has suspended it adding that the demonstration achieved overwhelming success on Tuesday.
Reacting to NLC’s demonstration, Adeniyi lampooned the union leaders noting that working up workers’ emotions against the government was against the essence of the organization.
His words: “The game the Nigerian Labour Congress is playing with the Masses regarding strike actions is too dangerous and calamitous for the country.
“Calling people out, working up their emotions, and hyping their game-plan does not portray the Labour and Trade Organizations as serious or reliable or even trustworthy.
“What’s the essence of doing cat calls without proper homework and without exhausting all negotiations with the government?”
Adeniyi warned NLC may soon lose its relevance predicting that a time will come when no worker will heed its call for demonstration
“The way the Labour Congress is carrying on, a time will come when nobody will heed their call. And worse still, masses may resort to self-help and become wild and out of control. That will definitely set serious danger and calamity in motion with unpredictable consequences.
“Should Nigerians be forced to resort to a Revolution, no force anywhere would be able to contain the fire. NLC should be careful and stop being a pun or ping pong.
“The country is too tense and emotions too brittle to be toyed with at this point in time,’ the statement concluded.
