Subsidy removal: NLC suspends nationwide protest
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Organised Labour Union has suspended its nationwide protest less than 24 hours after it embarked on the action. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the arrowheads of the protest, took the action after their meeting with President Bola Tinubu. The protest was to register the disagreement of Nigerians against the removal of fuel subsidies.
Suspension of the strike came on the heels of contempt lawsuit against the labour unions by the Federal Government for proceeding on an industrial action.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba had twice stated that the industrial action by organised labour was illegal, noting that there was a subsisting interim order restraining NLC from embarking on any industrial action.
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In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/158/2023, the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation are the applicants, while Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are the defendants.
Also, the suit was addressed to NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy Presidents, Audu Aruba, Prince Adeyanju Adewale, and Kabiru Sani; General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja; TUC President, Engr Festus Usifo; Scribe/ Chief Executive, Nuhu Toro.
Reports indicated that the suspension of the strike was based on the meeting with President Tinubu who had vowed immediate implementation to some of the issues raised during the meeting by the Labour leaders.
NLC and TUC had embarked on a national Industrial action, on Wednesday, August 2, to press home some of its demands against the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a move to placate the Labour Union, President Tinubu had on a day before the declaration of the strike action by the Labour Union, made a national broadcast to Nigerians to explain how his administration is tackling the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal. The broadcast was greeted with criticism from NLC who faulted claims by the Federal government of saving N1trillion from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Presidency had on Wednesday said that the labour unions would suspend their nationwide protests after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu. Dele Alake, the president’s special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, made the disclosure in a statement.