FCT, Abuja – The Senate has decided to urgently convene a meeting with labor leaders to discuss the ongoing nationwide strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The Senate has specifically requested that the unions end the strike, which was prompted by the attack on NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State on November 1.
The resolutions were made after Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) presented a motion during the plenary session regarding the strike, which has severely impacted official activities throughout the country.
The motion, presented by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, condemns the attack on Ajaero and deems it unfortunate.
The Bauchi lawmaker expresses that the NLC president, being a Nigerian and Imo citizen, has the constitutional rights to engage in the election process in the state. It is deemed unjust to harm him for his involvement.
He said: “The Senate is aware that the strike which has commenced since 14th of November 2023 is not unconnected with the assault on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress during the electioneering campaign that took place in Imo State.
“The Senate worries that most of the demands of the NLC are not targeted towards just the welfare of the Nigerian workers but essentially targeted most essentially at issues arising from the alleged political involvement of the President of the NLC, who also is an indigene and also has a right to be a part of the campaign process in Imo State.”
The lawmaker stated that there was indeed an assault on the President of the NLC while he was participating in the political campaign process in Imo as a citizen of the state. This finding was confirmed.
The lawmaker expressed concern that if the strike continues, it will have severe consequences for Nigerians and could potentially cause the economy to collapse.
During the discussion, some senators, including Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), condemned the attack on the NLC president. However, they also emphasized that the entire country should not suffer for an alleged offense committed in one state.
