The presidency has condemned the ongoing nationwide strike orchestrated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), terming it an abuse of privilege. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the organized labour’s decision to mobilize workers on a national scale for a personal issue was criticized.
Onanuga emphasized that power should not be wielded to settle personal scores but should instead be used to promote collective progress and advance national interests. The statement highlighted the clash between organized labour and a court order, describing the strike as “illegal, immoral, unjustifiable, and irresponsible.”
Presidential Perspective
Expressing dismay over the situation, Onanuga commented, “We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero.” He pointed out that Ajaero’s judgment error led to an assault in Owerri, as he was planning to incite workers in Imo State into an unnecessary strike.
While acknowledging that the government does not condone violence against any citizen, Onanuga clarified that investigations were underway into the incident involving Mr. Ajaero. The statement underlined the need for organized labour to uphold the rule of law and respect for the judiciary, emphasizing the irony that current labour leaders have shown disdain for court orders.
Strike Labelled as Unwarranted
The presidency deemed the strike an attempt to blackmail the government, asserting, “Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege.” It emphasized that the national economy and social activities should not suffer due to the personal interests of any labour leader.
The statement concluded by labelling the strike as “illegal, immoral, unjustifiable, and irresponsible,” suggesting a hidden agenda behind the strike notice issued after official hours. The presidency found such actions unacceptable, emphasizing the potential for the strike to cause undue hardship and civil disturbance in the country.
