CNPP Condemns NLC Raid, Urges President Tinubu to Reprimand Security Agencies.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has strongly condemned the recent raid on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters by security operatives. In a statement released on Thursday and signed by Deputy National Publicity Secretary James Ezema, the CNPP described the raid as a “Gestapo-style operation” and a serious violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.
The CNPP has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to hold the security agencies involved accountable. The organization expressed disappointment that such actions occurred under Tinubu’s presidency, especially given his history as an opposition figure and self-proclaimed democrat. They accused the security agencies of transforming Nigeria into a “police state” and criticized their actions as reminiscent of a draconian military regime.
The CNPP clarified that their stance is not a call for violent agitation or unrest, but they condemned attempts to suppress or intimidate citizens into submission. They warned that this heavy-handed approach could lead to increased instability and resentment towards the Tinubu administration.
The statement also included a cautionary note, likening the situation to a “hungry man is an angry man” scenario, and urged the administration to remember Tinubu’s own political struggles. The CNPP called for respect for citizens’ rights, including those of the NLC, and emphasized the need for the government to focus on tackling Nigeria’s economic and security issues.