Fresh Trouble: NLC, TUC, Others Shun FG, Begin Nationwide Strike Today

Despite a court order obtained by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have directed their members to commence a nationwide strike.

The strike will start from 12 midnight, Tuesday, November 14, in protest of the attack on Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, in Imo State on November 1.

President of TUC, Festus Osifo, addressed reporters on Monday, stating, “We demanded that the area commander that led the police to carry out the brutalization should be relieved of his duties and prosecuted. We also asked that Governor Hope Uzodimma’s SA on Special Duties, Chinasa Nwaneri, who everyone knew led the touts, should also be arrested and prosecuted. Our list of demands is in the public domain.”

Osifo explained that the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.” He added, “The two labour centres have resolved to stand firmly by the decision of the joint National Executive Council meeting that was held last week Tuesday, that effective from 12 midnight on the 14th of November, we shall declare a nationwide strike. So, effective midnight today, a nationwide strike is going to commence.” Osifo emphasized that the strike is indefinite until the government addresses their demands.

This portends a fresh trouble to the nation given the current economic realities which Nigerians are grappling with. There is currently a lot of hardships in the nation and this nationwide strike could make matters worse.