An Abuse of Privilege- Onanuga Decries National Strike
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga has reacted to the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) saying, that calling for a strike is an ‘abuse of privilege’.
The NLC on Monday announced the commencement of the industrial action from midnight of Monday, 13t November.
A decision followed by the brutalisation of the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, on 1 November in Imo State.
Onanuga in a press statement titled NLC/TUC STRIKE ACTION NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST said the issue surrounding the labour leader is a personal issue that does not necessitate any strike noting that the NLC powers should never be used to settle “personal scores” but promote and “advance national interest”.
He stated that there was an error of judgement by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero which led to his assault at Owerri.
Further pointing out that it was a personal matter between Ajaero and the state government, and wondering why it led to a nationwide strike despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.
He said though the Federal Government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of social and economic status, the Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into what happened to Ajaero.
The statement read in full,
“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 the reason the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to the 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,” he stated.
“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 should champion.
“The labour movement has always been a champion of the 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. The strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests it was designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country,”
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
November 13, 2023
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