The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties has slammed President Bola Tinubu over the raid of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by security operatives.

In a statement on Thursday, the CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, advised Mr Tinubu to solve Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, rather than gagging or intimidating Nigerians.

The NLC had on Wednesday raised the alarm on how armed security operatives both on uniform and mufti, around 9pm, invaded its national secretariat in Abuja, ransacking “books at the bookshop, carrying all materials into their van, claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”

The CNPP condemned the operatives’ unwarranted raid on the Labour House, describing their “gestapo-style operation,” as “a blatant disregard for the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”

The coalition of opposition political parties in the country called on President Tinubu, “to respect the rights of citizens, including the NLC, and to focus on addressing the economic and security challenges facing the nation.’’

The coalition stated, “At a time when farmers cannot farm in peace due to insecurity, the attempt to gag citizens or intimidate them into submission is unacceptable to a civilised society. This approach will only embolden the masses and earn more hatred for the Tinubu administration from people who are already undergoing unbearable economic pains and worsening hunger.’’

Noting that It was appalling that the incident occurred under the watch of President Bola Tinubu, produced through opposition struggle and presented himself as a democrat over the years, the CNPP asked the President to “immediately call to order the security agencies that are turning Nigeria into a police state, attacking opposition voices, and hounding them into detention in a manner reminiscent of a draconian military junta.”

Advocating against violent agitation, protests or distribution of inciting materials, the CNPP said it rejected the high-handedness by security forces within civilian environments.

“As the saying goes, “a hungry man is an angry man.” We warn that if the Tinubu administration forgets that Mr President was a product of the trenches, it may be disastrous for the economy if security agencies push citizens underground through the ongoing high-handedness,” it stated.

The CNPP vowed to continue speaking out against oppression and advocate rights of Nigerians under democratic and constitutional governance where the welfare of the citizens always remains topmost.