Court halts NLC, TUC from embarking on nationwide strike
…Kwara Gov, Oyo Gov meet with labour leaders
…NLC leaders are acting out scripts by Peter Obi — Fani Kayode alleges
…Increase in fuel pump price a deliberate sabotage — 18 CSOs
By Ibiyemi Mathew with agency report
The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday has stopped the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on a nationwide strike to protest the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
In a ruling delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe, the court restrained the two labour unions from proceeding with the strike action, pending the determination of a suit that was brought before it by the Federal Government.
The court held that the interim order, as well as the substantive suit, should be immediately served on both the NLC and the TUC and it adjourned the matter for hearing till June 19, 2023.
The court, in its ruling, held that it was empowered by section 7(b) of the NIC Act, 2006, with the exclusive jurisdiction in matters relating to the grant of any order to restrain any person or body from taking part in any strike, lockout or any industrial action.
It held that sections 16 and 19(a) of the NIC Act 2006, also empowered it to grant urgent interim reliefs.
The court held that the affidavit of urgency as well as the submission of FG’s lawyer revealed, “a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large.
“Counsel has pointed out that students of secondary schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams nationwide, will be affected; the tertiary institutions who have only just resumed after a long ASUU strike will also be affected, not leaving the health sector, amongst other sectors; and above all, the economy of the nation.
“In my view, this is a situation of extreme urgency that will require the intervention of this court,” Justice Anuwe held.
According to the judge, “Having therefore considered the totality of this application, I make the following orders:
“The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned Industrial Action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 5th June 2023.
“It is ordered that the defendant/ respondents be immediately served with the originating processes in this suit, the motion on notice and the order of this court hereby made.
“The motion on notice is hereby fixed for hearing on 19th June 2023. Hearing notices to that effect shall be served on the defendants/respondents along with the other processes.”
NLC leaders are acting out scripts by Peter Obi — Fani Kayode alleges
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has described leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress as players acting out a script given to them by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi.
In a statement he personally signed, Fani-Kayode said, “The leadership of the NLC did not threaten to go on strike during the politically-motivated, unconstitutional and illegal cash confiscation and money deprivation policy that resulted in the suffering, hunger, destruction, death, hardship, depression, frustration, madness and despair of millions of our people.
“Instead they are threatening to go on strike over the implementation of a well-thought out and credible policy on oil subsidy which the Nigerian people endorsed by voting for a President who promised to remove it and which though initially tough, will inevitably and eventually result in the restoration and resurrection of our economy and ensure that we have the necessary funds and resources for massive infrastructural development.
“Is this not strange and is it not a reflection of the insincerity, double standards and hypocrisy of the leadership of the Labour Congress?
“Does it not prove the fact they are acting out a script and that they are nothing more than a pack of implacable adversaries, insidious subversives and opportunistic mercenaries who are in the hands and power of Peter Obi?
“If Peter orders them to jump they will ask, “Bwana, how high?” Yet the truth is that whether the NLC likes it or not the oil subsidy must and will go.
“That is the only way to save our country from the fiscal challenges, rot and deterioration that it has suffered over the last 15 years and put us back on the right track for national development,” the statement read.
Kwara Gov, Oyo Gov meet with labour leaders
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have met with the resepctive labour leaders in their states yesterday.
The Governors met with the top labour leaders in their state appealing to them that the recent removal of fuel subsidy had been done in good faith to curb further damage to the economy.
“Removal of subsidy is definitely a painful decision that the government had to take in the larger interest of the country. It is the cheapest and most sustainable option available to curb criminal bleeding of the resources at the expense of the larger public.
“Subsidy regime means Nigeria is running a deficit budget that continues to hurt economic growth and make people poorer. The country was having to borrow to feed a tiny few, while important things like infrastructural development, industrial growth, job creation receive lesser resources.
“Now that subsidy has been removed as there is no provision for it in the budget anymore, the government is open to veritable ideas from the labour unions on how to redirect the savings for maximum public benefit, including pay rise.
“Mr. President and all of us (Governors) really acknowledge the short-term pains that come with the development, but we are committed to making sure that the interest of the workers and the Nigerian people is protected,” Abdulrazaq said in his meeting with the labour leaders.
Responding, the Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, said he agrees with AbdulRazaq that dialogue is better than strike action at this time.
He urged the Governor to use his good office as NGF Chairman to intervene in the national issue for amicable resolutions.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde in a meeting with the organised labour in Oyo State set up a committee comprising both representatives of the labour unions and the State Government.
He instructed the Committee to come up with a workable minimum wage within eight weeks.
Increase in fuel pump price a deliberate sabotage — 18 CSOs
18 Civil Society Organisations have declared that the deliberate increase in petrol pump price by independent oil marketers is an attempt to sabotage the fuel subsidy removal policy formally announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The 18 CSOs’ declared this in a statement jointly signed by National Coordinator (Niger Delta Youth Congress NDYC), Comrade Isreal Uwejeyan; National President (South-south Movement for Good Governance), Barr. Raymond Oporomo; President (Urhobo Progressive Vanguard), Comrade. Efemena Esamagu; National Coordinator (Niger Delta Women for Change), Mrs Abigial Asibie; National President (Cross River Youth Democratic Front), Comr. Julius Emaluji.
They said, “We call on Nigerians to hold independent oil marketers accountable for the drastic deterioration of petroleum prices, we vehemently condemn these acts of extortion by the independent marketers who hiked pump prices as soon as the subsidy removal was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to sabotage the sincere efforts of the government.
“This inhumane act of wickedness and greed demonstrates a lack of regard for the already burdensome living conditions faced by the Nigerian people.
“Moreover, we are not ignorant of the fact that the removal of fuel subsidies has placed an additional financial burden on the Nigerian populace, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society.
“The sudden increase in fuel prices has had a ripple effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential commodities, further exacerbating the hardships faced by the people, therefore, we urge the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to critically review the fuel price template provided by the NNPCL. By reducing the fuel price template, the government will be lessening the financial burden on the masses.”
The CSOs also warned Nigerians to be wary of the Nigerian Labour Congress alleging that the union is taking advantage of the suffering of the masses for its selfish negotiations.
They urged the NLC to provide an explanation regarding its absence during the preparation, presentation, defense, and passage of the budget by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and the 9th National Assembly, which did not include provisions for subsidy.
“It is disheartening to witness opportunistic actions being taken by the NLC only when it suits their agenda, rather than consistently advocating for the welfare of Nigerians,” the statement read.
