The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its two-day nationwide protests against the economic hardship under President Tinubu’s administration.

In a communique at the end of its National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday night, the union said the objectives of the protest were achieved on the first day of the demonstration.

The union, however, issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum, which will elapse on March 13 for the full implementation of all the October 2, 2023 agreement and other demands presented in its letter during Tuesday’s nationwide protest.

The communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and Acting General Secretary, Ismail Bello reads:

“To suspend street action for the second day of the protest having achieved overwhelming success thus attained the key objectives of the 2-day protest on the first day.

“However, nationwide action continues tomorrow with simultaneous Press Conferences across all the states of the federation by the state Councils of the Congress including the National Headquarters.

“To reaffirm and extend the 7-days ultimatum by another 7 days which now expires on the 13th day of March, 2024 within which the Government is expected to implement all the earlier agreement of the 2nd day of October, 2023 and other demands presented in our letter during today’s nationwide protest.

“To meet and decide on further lines of action if on the expiration of the 14 days Government refuses to comply with the demands as contained in the ultimatum.

“Once again, NEC recommits the NLC to continuing defending and promoting the interests and desires of Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses.”

Recall that NLC president, Joe Ajaero, had announced a two-day nationwide protest over the harsh economic realities facing most Nigerian workers since the removal of petrol subsidy.

At the protest in Abuja, Ajaero claimed that over 50 million Nigerians now go to bed hungry due to the high cost of food.

The labour leader also accused the federal government of failing to keep its promise of providing palliatives that would help cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.