The Presidency, on Tuesday, criticised the nationwide strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and
the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) as “unwarranted”, arguing it is an attempt to blackmail the
government.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement,
expressed dismay that the strike proceeded, despite a restriction order by 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,” the statement said.
“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.”
See the full statement below:
STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
NLC/TUC STRIKE ACTION NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST
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.
Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any
labour leader.
This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the
organised Labour would champion.
The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad
irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order.
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.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
