FG makes U-turn, revalidates NLC’s Eagle Square permit, says ‘overzealous officials acted without authorisation’

Federal Government has made a U-turn over earlier denial of the Organised Labour permit to use the Eagle Square for the traditional May Day rally on Monday, October 1, which it claimed was to complete renovation works ahead of the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect.

Federal Government, in a statement via the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, said the revalidation of the permit of the NLC for use of the Eagle Square Abuja for its traditional May Day rally, Monday, May 1, ‘remains sacrosanct,’ as it further blamed overzealous FCDA officials who acted without authorisation.

Ngige urged all invited guests including the President, Vice President, Ministers, diplomatic missions and international partners, to endeavour to be at the venue, which remains sacrosanct.

Federal Government had revoked the Organised Labour’s permit for use of Eagle Square, with barely three days to the event, forcing the groups to plans the use of opens streets in Abuja for the rally, having already rejected the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) suggestion of rhe Old Prade Ground, also in Abuja for the rally.

However, with a day to the mass rally, the Federal Government has revalidated the permit for the Eagle Square for use by the groups for their traditional gathering.

General Secretary of the NLC, Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, who confirmed the revocation of the Eagle Square permit for use for the May Day rally by the Federal Government, in a statement signed, Saturday in Abuja, however, assured that the fresh order ‘would not deter it from ensuring that it has a smooth and memorable Workers’ Day celebration on Monday, May 1.’

Leaderships of organised labour in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had claimed that the permit for use of the Eagle Square had long been granted by the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was revoked and subsequently communicated to them only last Thursday and Friday.

According to the labour groups, the reason the Federal Government gave them was that the Eagle Square will be undergoing renovation works in preparation for the May 29 inauguration of Nigeria’s President-elect.

“As you must have been aware of the last-minute questionable action of the Government at the centre to deny us the use of the Eagle Square for this year’s May-Day celebrations three days to the event despite having granted us the permit months ago.

“Do remember that this is a venue we have been using in the past decades for our May Day celebrations.

“The sudden decision to withdraw the permit may be laden with mischief and actually a sign of what is to come in the near future. It is a call to all of us to be prepared.

“As a result of this unfortunate development, we want to inform you that we have decided to shift the venue for the celebration to the Streets of Abuja.

“This is so that we can deepen our reconnection with the people who are our true partners in the struggle for a free society,” he said.

Ugboaja said that the take-off point shall be at the National Headquarters of the NLC by 8:00 am, further adding that all affiliates are to assemble at the Labour House, Monday, the 1st of May, from where they shall proceed on a rally around Abuja.

The NLC’s General Secretary, Ugboaja, further confirmed in an interview that the revocation of the permit to use the Eagle Square would not deter it from ensuring that it has a smooth and memorable Workers’ Day celebration on Monday, May 1.

For the NLC, which kick started activities for the May Day celebration with a public lecture, titled; “ Workers Rights and Socio-Economic Justice,”  the revocation of the permission to use the Eagle Square for the May Day event meant that ‘workers match pass this year will take place on the streets of Abuja.’

Similarly, addressing the media, a day later, Friday after a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, sister group, the TUC, through its President, Festus Osifo, also rejected what he described as the last minute change of venue for the May Day rally.

“One of the agencies under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) communicated to us that the Eagle Square will not be available for our May Day parade on Monday.

“But suffice to note that this is not the first time that we will be holding May Day parade at the Eagle Square and also the swearing in on May 29.

“This has been taking place since 1999, and we have always had a way of carrying out our parade before they go ahead with their preparations for hand-over.

“Moreso , May first  is four weeks away from handing over date but our government is telling us that political considerations are much more important than the issues of workers,” Osifo said.

The TUC President also said Federal Government suggested they use the Old Parade Ground for their event, to which he said the TUC has also rejected.

Meanwhile, Ngige, who disclosed the revalidation of the permit said government had moved to revalidate the documents following media reports that the Federal Government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has withdrawn the permit granted to the NLC to use the Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said on getting the information, he contacted his colleague, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), acting without his authority.

Ngige said sequel to his consultation with the FCT Minister, the NLC has been asked to go ahead with its preparation for the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, which the President, Ministers, other top government officials and the diplomatic missions are expected to attend.

“The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade.

“On receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority, as well as minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.

” It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.

“Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1, which is the workers day.

“This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public. The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.

“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the diplomatic missions and the international partners.

“The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised Labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger the company incharge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May29 inauguration to also include the May1, 2023,” the statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, read.