Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Kaduna State governor, Nasir- Elrufai, to explore the option of dialogue with the Kaduna striking workers rather than issuing threats.
The governors, under the platform of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) urged El-Rufai to negotiate with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the interest of the Kaduna people who are the most affected by the crippling impact of the strike on the state’s economy.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, also appealed to the NLC to engage with the Kaduna State government rather than closing down the state.
“The PGF has been following unfolding development between NLC and Kaduna State government over the issue of rightsizing local government employees with deep concerns.
“Noting all the challenges facing all our states, especially given dwindling revenue, we appeal to all patriotic Nigerians, including the NLC, to demonstrate more commitment toward engaging governments at all levels to address problems.
“This is not the time for muscle-flexing. At this critical point of our democratic journey, there could not be limits to engagement between all governments and citizens.
“We appeal to NLC leadership to recognise that the burden of leadership is more about responding to challenges based on the honest disposition of correcting past mistakes.
“As progressive governors, we share the vision of Kaduna State government of reforming all our local government councils to make them more efficient and consequently the pivot of critical development initiatives.
“At the same time, we want to appeal to the state government under the leadership of our colleague, Malam Nasir El-Rufai to take all necessary steps to ensure the resolution of all disagreements in the larger interest of citizens in Kaduna state,” he said.
