Mount Pressure On Federal Govt To Protect Nigerians, Falana Tells Labour Congress

Human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mount severe pressure on the federal government to fulfil its constitutional role in protecting Nigerians, saying the worsening insecurity in the country, despite being under the full glare of a functional government, remains an aberration.

Falana made the remarks on Thursday at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, noting that external military intervention would pose serious risks to the country’s sovereignty.

He expressed concern over the rising wave of kidnappings across the country, stating that criminal gangs continue to abduct citizens despite the presence of a functioning government.

According to him, desperation had prompted some Nigerians to support the idea of foreign military intervention, particularly by the United States. This move, he believed, was a slap in the face of the federal government.

Falana recalled that Nigerians had historically rejected attempts by foreign powers to establish military bases in the country, citing the 1962 resistance to the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact shortly after independence. Since then, he said, both the United States and Britain had repeatedly sought similar arrangements, which Nigerians consistently opposed.

He further cited how foreign intervention in Libya has destabilised that country as a reason for his refusal to support foreign intervention.

“The experiences of countries such as Libya, where foreign intervention destabilised national structures and left the nation fragmented, should serve as a cautionary example.”

Falana pointed out that ongoing U.S. involvement in global conflicts, including support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza and alleged plans to intervene in Venezuela, are there for everyone to learn from.

The senior advocate criticised a U.S. political plan, which the US said is about protecting Christians, arguing that such claims were inconsistent with America’s actions in conflict zones.

He questioned why foreign actors claiming to defend Christians abroad had not intervened in Nigerian states affected by religious violence if their intentions were genuine.

Falana stressed that Nigeria must avoid becoming entangled in prolonged foreign military engagements, pointing to America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan as an example of long-term instability that external intervention can create.

He urged the NLC and civil society to intensify pressure on the federal government to fulfil its constitutional duty to protect lives and property across all states.

According to him, the administration must demonstrate clearly that Nigeria “is not a conquered people.”

Falana also reiterated the legal right of workers to unionise and defend their interests, insisting that no government or private entity, including major corporations, should undermine those rights.

He reaffirmed the support of progressive civil society groups for any NLC decision aimed at safeguarding Nigerians and defending the country’s sovereignty.