Nigeria Labour Congress Say: Disregard "Blackmarket Injunction" From National Industrial Court

The Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a press statement urging Nigerians to ignore the "black market injunction" by the National Industrial Court, putting a stop to the mass strike set to begin Monday.

"The cretins in the Jonathan administration imagine that by seeking to drag the judiciary in the mud, they can avert the general strikes, rallies and mass protests that will begin on Monday 9th January, 2012," the statement read.

It went on to say that the injunction seeking to stop an angry populace from speaking out against an "evil policy" is impossible.

In the statement, the NLC called the ex parte motion ordered by the NIC today a "childish ploy", referring to it as a rumour.

The court, presided over by Justice Babatunde Adejuwon said the supporting affidavit disclosed that economic activities, as well as the health and welfare of citizenry, would be adversely affected by mass strikes.

Labour reiterates that the constitutional and fundamental right of Nigerians to protest cannot be annulled, the statement said.

The NLC asks Nigerians to ignore such rumours; the strikes, mass rallies and protests will go on as scheduled. The NLC advises the Jonathan administration to listen to the people or face their justifiable wrath.

Campaign for Democracy also spoke out against the NIC ruling, saying in a statement that it "strongly condemns the request for a police permit before holding rally".

"It is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void because even the public order act which stipulates that a permit be obtained before holding any rally has been declared illegal to the extent that it violates the right of the people to freedom of association and assembly.

"We therefore call on the Police to limit itself to its constitutional prescribed role of maintaining peace, order and not allow itself to engage in wanton violations of the rights of millions of Nigerians.

"The Nigerian people have a right to protest against unpopular policy and such right is not conditional upon obtaining any permit from any security agency including the Police."

The group said Nigerians should be aware of their rights and "begin to enforce them".

"It is time to drop the culture of passivity and indifference that has made rulers engage in impunity."

In the statement signed by the group's president, Joe Okei Odunmakin, they said the "black market injunction to stop Labour from embarking on the just struggle of the oppressed people would fail."