Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, has stated that the TUC will not be participating in the planned nationwide protest against economic hardships scheduled for August 1. At a news conference in Abuja, Osifo explained that the TUC had not been approached by any organizers and, therefore, had no plans to join the protest.
Osifo emphasized the importance of dialogue and planning for any protest, noting that the TUC had not been contacted for collaboration. He also urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and is not exploited by individuals with ulterior motives.
Additionally, Osifo criticized the federal government’s decision to float the Naira, which he believes has contributed to economic hardship by making imports more expensive and exposing the Naira to fluctuations against the dollar. He called for measures to improve food production, particularly in Benue and Plateau States, and recommended implementing zero import duty on manufacturing equipment to boost job creation.
Osifo also addressed the ongoing dispute between Dangote and petroleum industry stakeholders, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and resolve the conflict to maintain investor confidence in Nigeria. He advocated for an end to provocative statements from all parties involved and suggested a unified approach to finding solutions.