Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna Central District, today warned the federal government against intimidating the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress.
This was contained in a statement. He said the NLC has the right to protest their grievances over thr removal of fuel subsidy.
The statement reads: “Campaign of calumny and blackmail against the NLC and Labour leaders simply for speaking out and standing up for their traditional constituents must stop.
“We joined and applauded the NLC for leading a mass protest against increase in pump prices of petroleum products in the past.
“It’s hypocritical to condemn them now for their principled stand on same issue. Our quests for justice and equity must not depend upon the Government or persons in power but must depend upon the matters of principles at hand.”
“The cloud of intimidation and blackmail against people for expressing their objections must end. We are now in a state whereby dissent is equated to disloyalty.
“We must learn to tolerate views and positions different from our own no matter how unpopular. If we must all agree on all issues at all times, democracy couldn’t have been ‘invented’.
“Democracy guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to free speech and to objection and this must be respected.”
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