On May 17, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) began a five-day warning strike in Kaduna State to protest against mass disengagement of workers and anti-labor actions. The effect of the strike included the shutdown of government schools and offices, banks, electricity supply, train station, and airport. Consequently, all economic activities in the state were grounded.
Workers across the state and leadership of all the affiliate unions of NLC usually gathered at the state capital, Kaduna, to ensure total compliance. They converged at the state secretariat of the NLC bearing placards with different inscriptions. The messages on the placards include ‘’Hell Rufai’’ which described their present state.
In his statement on the protest, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said that they would not back down. The only condition to back down is when the state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai reverses the sack of workers. More so, they will be paid their outstanding.
El-rufai declares Wabba and others wanted
Wabba has refuted claims that the Kaduna State government consulted them before the strike action. The NLC leader also affirmed that it would continue with its decisions until the state government meets the workers grievances.
Besides, the government stated that the actions of the NLC are ‘’equivalent to the actions of the bandits kidnapping and menacing our citizens’’. On the second day of the strike action, El-Rufai made a post on his Twitter page declaring the labour leaders wanted for ‘economic sabotage & attacks on public infrastructure under Miscellaneous Offences Act.’ He also promised a handsome reward to anyone that knows where Wabba is hiding. In his response, Wabba said that El-Rufai has no constitutional right to declare him wanted. More so, it is their constitutional right to protest in a democracy.
Chaos and the need for settlement
On Tuesday, May 18 2021. Sponsored thugs were sent to disrupt the protest of the NLC. However, it was presumed by Wabba that he had to inform security operatives of the attacks before they occurred. Some people sensed that the infiltration of thugs into the peaceful protests was an attempt by the government to silence the voice of the people.
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It should be recalled that in 2012, El-Rufai participated in protests with NLC against the then sitting government. which made many people to question his desperation to stop a strike action that is a right of the people.
Nevertheless, the protests were suspended on the third day in order for the NLC leaders to honour the invitation by the government on Thursday, May 20 2021.
There are expectations that the demands of the labour union would have to be met. It is also worth mentioning that the right to protest should never be denied in a democracy.
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