Protest: NLC Urges FG to Explore Dialogue with Shiites

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday advised the federal government to adopt the carrot and stick approach in dealing with security threat posed by the protesting members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shiites.

While expressing sadness at the level of destruction of lives and property witnessed in last Monday's protest by members of the Islamic sect in Abuja, NLC said it would be better if the government therefore pursue dialogue and also address the criminality.

In a statement issued by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the labour umbrella said the government should be imaginative in dealing with the issue of the detained leader of the Islamic group, El-Zakzaky.

 "We call upon the government with every sense of responsibility and concern for our national security to deal imaginatively with the issue of El-Zakzaky whom it has kept in detention in defiance of a court order to release him from detention.

"We expect the government to be firm but flexible by using the stick and carrot approach. It is no sign of weakness," the statement said.

NLC said it was deeply saddened by the destruction of both private and public properties, injuries and deaths that resulted from the confrontation between the police and members of the Shiite during the protest by the latter to press for the release of their leader from detention.

It described the deaths and destruction recorded during the protests "as highly regrettable and avoidable.”

The labour group advised that though the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the 1999 constitution (as amended), such right cannot be abridged by anybody.

NLC added that its members have routinely exercised the right to protest in spite of occasional objections, adding that it has helped in strengthening the country’s democracy.

According to NLC, "The bloody conflict would not be the first or second or even third that  would have resulted from  protests by members of the sect on the same matter that ended up in a stand-off with security forces. Neither would it be the last.

"However, it represented a determination of the members of the Shiite sect to press on with their demand and the sickening escalation of violence.

"It is also a painful manifestation of the fact that in the continued confrontation between the Shi'ite sect and security forces, either party is susceptible to casualty."

It urged the leadership and members of the Shiite sect to not only  eschew violence but be guided at all times by those fundamental principles/rules and practices of peaceful protest.

"We similarly urge the security forces to be guided by the rules of engagement. It is reprehensible and completely objectionable to turn against peacefully- protesting people with offensive weapons," NLC added.