How This Year’s May Day Rally Will Be Held – NLC; As TUC Protests Denial Of Eagle Square

By Ayodele Oni

This Year’s May Day Rally which holds on Monday will be unique as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced that the celebration will be held on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory to enable Congress deepen its reconnection with the people.

The decision is coming after the union was denied usage of the Eagle Square which hosts the May Day rally every year.

The Trade Union Congress, (TUC) has flayed government action for denying Unions the use of the traditional venue for the event.

Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, said this in a statement  on Saturday in Abuja that the action of government on the usage of the traditional venue was questionable.

In the statement was titled,” National May Day celebration in Abuja: Change of Venue” NLC declared that “As you must have been aware of the last-minute questionable action of the Government at the centre to deny us the use of the Eagle Square for this year’s May-Day celebrations three days to the event despite having granted us the permit months ago.

”Do remember that this is a venue we have been using in the past decades for our May Day celebrations.

“The sudden decision to withdraw the permit may be laden with mischief and actually a sign of what is to come in the near future. It is a call to all of us to be prepared.

”As a result of this unfortunate development, we want to inform you that we have decided to shift the venue for the celebration to the Streets of Abuja.

“This is so that we can deepen our reconnection with the people who are our true partners in the struggle for a free society,” he said.

The scribe said that the take-off point shall be at the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by 8:00 a:m

He added that all affiliates are to assemble on the grounds of the Paschal Bafyau Labour House on Monday the 1st of May from where we shall proceed on a rally around Abuja.

He, however, assured workers of the NLC continued commitment to traditions and values.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), in its reaction, protested the last minute order denying organized labour the use of Eagle Square as venue for the May 1, Workers Day rally.

Mr Festus Osifoh, TUC President, made the union’s position known while addressing newsmen at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC), meeting which held on Friday night in Abuja.

According to the TUC, the union rejects the last minute change of venue for the Workers’ Day rally.

“One of the agencies under the FCTA communicated to us that the Eagles Square will not be available for our May Day parade on Monday.

“But suffice to note that this is not the first time that we will be holding May Day parade at the Eagle Square, and swearing in would follow on May 29.

“This has been taking place since 1999, and we have always had a way of carrying out our parade before they go ahead with their preparations for hand-over.

“May 1, is four weeks away from the handing over date, but our government is telling us that political considerations are much more important than the issues of workers,” he said.

Osifoh expressed disappointment with the Federal Government, for putting political considerations above workers’ interests and welfare, insisting that the congress believed that workers’ issues should be prioritised.

According to him, the organized Labour rejects offers of other alternatives, saying; “they have asked us to go to the Old Parade Ground, and we are not going.”