Tinubu Faces Legal Heat As Lawyer Takes Issue With Remarks On NLC And Qatar Expedition

Tinubu Faces Legal Heat As Lawyer Takes Issue With Remarks On NLC And Qatar Expedition

Lawyer and social commentator Justice Osai Ahiakwo has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his recent rebuke of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) amidst their nationwide protest against the soaring cost of living in the country.

In a statement released in Calabar, Ahiakwo, an activist, contended that there was neither moral nor legal justification for the President to disparage organized labor, which was advocating for government responsiveness to citizens’ hardships.

Ahiakwo also expressed disapproval of Tinubu’s trip to Qatar with a substantial number of aides, asserting that the President appeared oblivious to the challenges faced by the citizens.

“If the current government genuinely empathizes with the people and acknowledges the excruciating pain they are enduring, the President should refrain from traveling to Qatar with such a large delegation using public funds, particularly amid economic challenges,” remarked the lawyer.

Challenging the President for his criticism of the NLC, Ahiakwo highlighted the irony of Tinubu’s approach, noting that it resembled the tactics he himself employed against former President Goodluck Jonathan, which ultimately propelled him to national political prominence.

Tinubu had censured the NLC for initiating strikes and protests several months into his administration, daring the union to contest elections in 2027.

Ahiakwo criticized this response, deeming it unbecoming of a presidential figure. He emphasized that merely deflecting responsibility for the government’s handling of the prevailing hyperinflation did not suffice. Ahiakwo stressed that every citizen or legally recognized pressure group, such as the NLC, has the right to peaceful protest, assembly, and expression of views in the public interest.

The lawyer urged the President to focus on addressing the root causes of hardship, advocating for sustainable solutions through well-considered economic policies, constructive dialogue, and collaborative efforts involving all stakeholders. He emphasized the need for solutions that would benefit all Nigerians.

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