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By Bimbola Oyesola
As Nigerians joined the rest of the world to celebrate Easter, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the weekend, warned the Federal Government that it would resist attempts to criminalise peaceful protests in the country.
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in an Easter message, charged all Nigerians to protest within the ambit of the law when they feel short-changed.
“We shall resist any attempt to criminalise our hard-earned right to peaceful protest against the ills perpetrated by operators of the Nigeria state,” he said.
Charging Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of the Lord Jesus Christ, Ajaero said the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, marked by the feast of Easter, offers everyone a chance for deep reflection on the virtues of the greatest love and sacrifice and of undying hope.
“In light of this, we urge Nigerian workers, indeed all Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of Easter through the manifestation of the spirit of love through forgiveness, sacrifice, hope and sincerity,” he said.
The NLC president stated that workers were equally urging Nigerian leaders at various levels “who brought upon us this level of pain, privation and acrimony to not treat these virtues as platitudes, but core values for healing, rebuilding, and repositioning of the country.”
He stated that it was important that Jesus died a painful death on the cross, not pleasing the establishment of the day, but challenging it to do the right thing.
Ajaero said, in like manner, the Nigeria Labour Congress had not only a moral obligation to continually remind the government of its duties and obligations to the people but will also sensitise the people to their rights.
He said, “In the spirit of Easter, and in line with our protest tradition, we make bold to state that we have the capacity and the will to protest peacefully against wrongs by government when necessary. We similarly urge all Nigerians to protest within the ambit of the law when they feel short-changed.
“Finally, we urge the Christian faithful and their neighbours to celebrate the Easter in peace.”
