NLC assures FG of looming strike Nationwide

 Ero-Phillips Pelumi,  Lagos

Source:  The PUNCH

NLC members protesting

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, has said the worker's union will surely embark on a three-day Nationwide strike if the Federal government fails to come round to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities after the ongoing two-day warning protest organized by the NLC. 

Wabba, who spoke in an interview with Channels TV 'Sunrise Daily', stated that the workers' union embarked on a two-day protest against the ongoing ASUU strike not just a show of solidarity, but because the strike directly affected the NLC. 

He said, "The two-day warning strike is to call for attention for the issues to be resolved promptly. The next level is a three-day national warning strike if nothing has happened after the protest to show our grievances".

"We are not on a solidarity action, we are affected directly". 

The NLC had organized the two-day protest after a series of failed negotiations between the FG and ASUU to resolve the strike action. All efforts has proved to be futile so there is the need to try another approach to show the extent of how serious then are. Wabba, further stated that the ongoing protest was a democratic norm which was constitutional and supported by the International Charters, added that it was not illegal to carry out such demonstration on the streets. 

He said, " these are democratic norms everywhere in the world. Even as an individual, you have the right to air your grievances". "It is within the provision of our law. It is backed by the United Nations Charter for human & people's right, and it is there in our constitution- Sections 39&40."

Opinions of people in "authority" regarding the protest

Ever since plans for the ongoing protest was announced by the NLC, the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, aired his opinion stating that the protest was illegal and would create 'anarchy' in the country. The Minister of Labour and employment Chris Ngige, also taunted the workers'union  claiming falsely that the protest was against International Labour practices. 

The Nigeria Police Force also in it's bid to defend the regime, demanded that the NLC get permit from the Force before embarking on the two-day warning protest. Responding to the affirmation by the authorities, Wabba said the court of law had pronounced that citizens did not need any kind of permission from the Police or any other authority to carry out protests. 

He said, " Even the court has pronounced that you don't require any permission. It is legal and with your fundamental human rights to protest issues.

"When people say it's illegal, I think people should remember that no condition is permanent. We have at one time had some of our current politicians join the NLC to press for similar action in the past."