State chapters and affiliated unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are preparing for the potential announcement of a nationwide strike after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to provide relief measures in response to the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
Prior to this, organized labor had conducted a two-day warning strike to emphasize their demands. Subsequently, the NLC issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, which lapsed on Friday. To address the situation, the NLC has arranged an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council for Tuesday at noon, during which the council’s course of action will be determined.
In a notice dated September 22, 2023, seen by Sunday PUNCH, the General Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, emphasized the utmost importance of the attendance of Presidents, General Secretaries, and Treasurers of affiliated unions at the meeting.
Leading up to the meeting, state chapters of the NLC have expressed their readiness to mobilize fully if the NEC announces a strike on Tuesday. Meanwhile, there have been reports that the Federal Government is considering meeting with labor leaders once again, possibly on Monday, as a last-minute effort to prevent a strike and avoid economic disruption.
A government source stated that the intention is to prevent a strike to safeguard the nation’s economy, while another source mentioned the government’s recent increase in junior lecturers’ salaries by 23.5% as part of its efforts to seek understanding from labor leaders.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was unavailable for comment as he was traveling to London at the time of contact.
Ekiti
Kolapo Olatunde, the Ekiti State Chairman of the NLC, conveyed that if the NEC were to declare a strike, the state’s workers would wholeheartedly participate. He emphasized that the decision of the NLC’s NEC takes precedence over any other, stating, “If the directive from the NEC is to initiate a strike, we have no alternative. We will also convene at the State Executive Council level, but the NEC’s decision overrides all others. If the NEC mandates a strike, it implies that everyone will participate.”
Gombe
In Gombe State, the sentiment mirrors that of Ekiti, with the state Secretary of NLC, Ibrahim Fika, confirming full compliance with any industrial action directed by the NEC.
Fika stated, “By God’s grace, we will adhere completely. There’s no uncertainty about it. The specifics regarding when to proceed and whether there will be a grace period for preparation will be determined after the Tuesday meeting. However, Gombe NLC is unequivocally prepared, 100 percent ready.”
Sokoto
Sokoto State is witnessing a parallel situation, where the state chapter has expressed its intent to participate in the strike when directed by the national headquarters.
Abdullahi Jungle, the state chairman, affirmed this stance, saying, “We are anticipating the national headquarters’ decision. As soon as a decision regarding the strike is made, we will align ourselves with it.”
Plateau
Plateau State follows suit, with NLC members determined to adhere to any strike decision made by the union.
Eugene Manji, the state chairman, explained, “We operate as a democratic union. Our upcoming NEC meeting, set for Tuesday, will be conducted via Zoom. Therefore, if the majority concludes that the union should go on strike, the workers in Plateau State will unquestionably comply with the NEC’s decision.”
Benue
In Benue State, the situation mirrors that of other states, with the chairman, Terungwa Igbe, affirming the chapter’s readiness to adhere to any guidance issued by the national secretariat.
He stated, “If there’s a national directive to initiate a strike, we will unquestionably be part of it.”
Kano
Kano State aligns with the prevailing sentiment, as the state chapter confirms its preparedness to adhere to directives from the national headquarters.
Kabiru Inuwa, the state chairman, clarified, “The NEC may choose to either proceed with a strike or not. Regardless of the decision made, the Kano State chapter will adhere to it.”
“So, we have to wait and see what will be the outcome of the meeting.”
Niger
The Niger State chapter also affirms its willingness to adhere to directives from the national leadership of the NLC.
Idrees Lafena, the state chairman, emphasized, “We are left with no alternative but to follow the guidance of our parent organization. The Federal Government has been granted ample time to reconsider and change its course, yet it remains unyielding. It hasn’t provided a lasting solution and is unwilling to take the necessary steps.”
He continued, “The highly successful two-day warning strike in Niger State and nationwide was an opportunity for the government to seriously reflect and adjust its approach. Nigerian workers can no longer endure this hardship without a clear end in sight. We have no choice. Once we receive directives from our national leaders, we will ensure that the Federal Government is compelled to take the right action, and Niger State will be impacted by the strike.”
Zamfara
The Zamfara State chapter of the NLC is also prepared to initiate a strike action should the national body issue such a directive. The state chairman, Sani Halliru, assured, “We are in Zamfara State only awaiting the directive, and I can assure you that once we receive it, we will participate in the strike. We will promptly shut down the state upon receiving approval for the strike action. I attended the meeting and returned on Friday, so I see no reason why I wouldn’t join the strike if directed by our esteemed national union.”
Similarly, in Yobe State, workers are ready to engage in a strike if directed by the NLC’s national headquarters following its Tuesday meeting. The state chairman of the NLC, Mukhtar Tarbutu, conveyed their readiness, stating, “We are fully prepared to participate in the strike if the national NLC body instructs all states to do so. The issues at stake concern every worker in Nigeria, including you, journalists. We will wholeheartedly comply with whatever decision is made during the Tuesday meeting.”
Rivers
The chairman of Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, affirmed that the state chapter would wholeheartedly adhere to the national directive in the event of a strike declaration. When questioned about the state chapter’s readiness to comply if a strike were declared, his response was succinct: “Yes.”
Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State chapter has pledged to mobilize its members for active participation in any strike action declared by the national leadership of the NLC.
Simon Barnabas, the state chairman, explained, “Wherever there’s NLC, there’s NLC, so we won’t deviate from that. This will be the approach taken by other state councils as well.”
He clarified that the strike is not aimed at the state government but rather at the Federal Government. He further expressed the objective, stating, “Our aim is to draw the attention of President Bola Tinubu to the urgent need to address the severe hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.”
Barnabas proposed a potential solution, stating, “The best course of action now is to revitalize our refineries to full operational capacity so that the Naira can regain its value. Otherwise, the small allowances they intend to provide won’t be sufficient.”
Akwa Ibom
Sunny James, the chairman of the NLC in Akwa Ibom State, emphasized that there was no possibility of the chapter avoiding the strike.
He stated, “While an official meeting will be convened to make that decision, if a strike is indeed declared, there is absolutely no way we will refrain from participating. After all, we represent the state council of NLC, don’t we?”
Adamawa
The Adamawa State chairman of NLC, Emmanuel Fashe, said, “If we are not comfortable with the system, we should give support to labour leaders so that whatever that is being decided, we as Nigerians will comply and give them all the necessary support.
“You can see people suffering but when you call them out to join forces, to demonstrate and cry out to the government, they will shy away from it. This unfortunately is the Nigerian reality for you as we speak today.
“Things are hard but even for people within the community to organise themselves to come out and cry against the repressive economic policies of government is very hard. Labour leaders don’t have separate markets, we all go to the same market and it is the support of the public that we require to be successful in our agitations for a responsive system.”
Kaduna
The Kaduna NLC chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, said, “We are not outside the NLC. We shall be part of the NEC and every decision taken is binding on all state councils.”
Abia
The NLC in Abia State said its members would join the strike.
The state chairman, Pascal Nweke, said, “We are under them. If they decide to go on strike after Tuesday’s NEC meeting, the Abia State chapter will join them.”
Kebbi
Murtala Usman, the chairman of NLC in Kebbi State, expressed confidence that no state chapter of the NLC would decline to participate in the strike if it were decided by the national headquarters of the union.
He explained, “We were the ones who initiated the meeting, and once NEC informs us of the outcome and decision, we will follow it faithfully.”
Taraba
The Taraba State Chairman, Peter Jediel, said, “Yes, we are ready to join the strike but we are waiting for an official communication.
“I just returned from a meeting of the union where the issue of the strike was discussed and we are willing to comply with the directive if the national union sends us a notice of strike.
“We are expecting that notice between tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday and we will fully comply.”
However, the Oyo State chapter said it would not pre-empt the outcome of the Tuesday meeting.
The state Chairman, Kayode Martins, said, “We have not heard from the national secretariat of the NLC so we can’t pre-empt them. Let’s see the outcome of the NEC meeting, then we will call our state meeting as well.”
Ondo
The Ondo State secretary of the NLC, Akin Sunday, said, “ I cannot say anything much about the strike because my chairman is preparing to go to Abuja for the NEC meeting. The decision of the NEC at the meeting would determine what would happen next.”
Katsina
The Katsina State Chairman of the NLC, Hussaini Hamisu, said, “We should not jump the gun. The NEC of the union is meeting on Tuesday. We would rather wait for its decision on the strike. Let us await the decision of the NEC. “
Lagos
The Chairman of the NLC in Lagos State, FunmI Sessi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, also said the outcome of the meeting scheduled for Tuesday will determine if the congress in the state will join the strike.
“They have called us for a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, so it’s on that day that we will know our stance. Let us leave everything till that Tuesday. We will know the outcome then,” she said.
Edo
The Edo State chairman of the NLC, Odion Olaye, said he was yet to receive a directive on the matter.
“I am yet to receive any directive concerning the strike action,” he said
Delta
The Delta State chairman of the NLC, Goodluck Ofobruku, also said the council would comply with the decision of the NEC.
“Yes, but there’s a NEC meeting on Thursday where a decision will be taken,” he said.
