The Presidency has criticised Organised Labour over its directive on nationwide strike as a result of the assault on Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President.
n a statement on Monday night, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described the decision as an attempt to blackmail the government, insisting that the strike action is unjustifiable, noting that it would cause undue hardship.
Organised Labour, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, said all affiliate unions of the two labour centres had been directed to implement the resolutions of their joint National Executive Councils on the strike.
President of TUC, Festus Osifo, told journalists at Labour House, Abuja that the strike would remain until “governments at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”
Osifo specifically said the Organised Labour was baffled that despite an ultimatum given to the government, the Area Commander that led attacks on Ajaero was yet to be sacked from the Police force and prosecuted.
The labour leader also wondered why the Police was yet to arrest and prosecute the leader of an alleged killer squad.
According to him: “We also stated that the Area Commander that led the police to carry out the brutalisation should be relieved of his duties and he should be prosecuted.
“Then, Chinaza, whom everybody knew that led the thugs should also be arrested and prosecuted. We have a list of our demands. We gave an ultimatum that initially expired Wednesday last week.
“But on the eve of that expiration, we held a joint session of the NLC and the TUC, we looked at it, we thought that as a responsible institution we should give an additional one week if the government would be responsive. In order to further draw the attention of the government, we had a picketing session last week.”
The TUC also berated the federal government for not condemning the criminal attack on NLC president, adding that instead of that, some government officials continued to blast labour leaders publicly.
“But instead of the government coming out strongly, to condemn this criminality, instead of the government to seek and stand on the side of justice and truth, some people in government were running their mouths and making all kinds of statements.
“So, the two labour centres have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint NEC that was held last week Tuesday that in 00:01 hours on 14th of November, we shall declare a nationwide strike. So, effective tomorrow or midnight today, a nationwide strike is going to commence.
“All affiliates of TUC, NLC; all State councils of the two centres have been mobilized adequately and this is going to be indefinite until governments at all levels wake up to their responsibilities. This is the decision of NEC of NLC and TUC that we are going to carry out to the latter!”
But Onanuga, in the statement said: “We notice with dismay the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to call out workers to commence a strike action from midnight, despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.
“This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.
“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.
“While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Mr. Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.
“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. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.
“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable.”