The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly denounced the dismissive remarks made by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, regarding the ongoing joint national strike by the NLC and TUC. In a press statement released on 14th November 2023, the NLC highlights the misrepresentation of the strike’s motives and criticizes Onanuga’s comments as a distortion of facts.
The NLC asserts that the nationwide strike is not an “ego tripping move” aimed at “blackmailing the government,” as Onanuga has suggested. The labor union emphasizes that the strike is a legitimate response to the government’s fundamentalist market policies, including massive currency devaluation and subsidy removal, which have imposed social violence and upheaval on Nigerians.
Furthermore, the NLC refutes Onanuga’s claim that the strike revolves around a personal matter involving NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero. The statement clarifies that Ajaero’s role as the President of NLC involves overseeing issues related to civil servants, pensioners, and other affiliated unions, not limited to his immediate union in Imo State. The NLC details the grievances, including salary arrears, improper implementation of the national minimum wage, and non-implementation of agreements with the state government since 2021.
The NLC condemns the arrest and assault of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigeria Police Force, characterizing it as a state-sponsored act of terror against a prominent labor leader and a violation of the rights of all freedom-loving Nigerians. The statement warns against accepting the government’s narrative of a “private matter” and calls on citizens to be vigilant against systematic assaults on their rights.
In response to Onanuga’s assurance of a police investigation, the NLC questions the credibility of an inquiry conducted by the same entity accused of arresting and torturing Ajaero. The labor union demands an honest and thorough investigation by competent and independent professionals, both domestic and international, to ensure justice.
The NLC concludes the statement by reaffirming their commitment to the strike and dismissing Onanuga’s criticism regarding disobedience to a court order. The NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, warns against being deterred by government tactics, asserting that no government can be bigger than the people it serves.
