A faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress under the leadership of Ayuba Wabba which embarked on strike over the fuel price increase has suspended it.
Ayuba Wabba, the NLC’s president, told journalists in the capital, Abuja, that the union had “resolved to suspend with immediate effect the action”.
“Congress will resume negotiations with government on the twin issues of the hike in electricity tariff and an increase in the pump price of petroleum products,” he said, adding that the union “remains committed to genuine dialogue”.
The communiqué reads in part, “After an exhaustive deliberation, NEC noted that its protest action was informed by the twin issues of the unjustified and illegal hike in electricity tariff and increase in the pump price of petroleum products. NEC adjudged the protest action to be a success in spite of both internal and external challenges.”
The NEC reiterated the correctness of its position on the twin-issues of electricity tariff hike and astronomical increase in the pump price of PMS and the hardship they portend for the Nigerian masses.
The NEC also acknowledged that the temptation to compare the strike with that of 2012 could be compelling but that the scenario had changed as both the actors and the terrain were different.
“NEC said that before it embarked on the action, it had anticipated a probable outcome and therefore was not surprised by government’s negative response. Nonetheless, it felt fulfilled by having the presence of mind and courage to identify its mission and fulfilling it, stressing that if a similar situation arises again, it will still rise and stand with the people.
The NLC NEC commended those who took part in the action in one way or the other and reaffirmed its commitment to the struggle. The action, it reiterated, was taken in the best interest of the poor and the weak and in drawing government’s attention to the dangers of relying on the importation of petroleum products as a sustainable strategy for making available petroleum products. It expressed the belief that in the days ahead, time would prove its position right.
“In consideration of the above, NEC, after due consultation with its constituents, resolved to suspend with immediate effect the action it commenced on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The action is thus hereby suspended,” it said, adding that it was committed to “genuine dialogue within the framework of internationally established and recognized principles of representation.”
He said Congress will continue to resist wrong legislations, policies and programmes and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians as it remains the only pan-Nigerian organisation not affected by religion, region, creed, partisanship or primordial sentiments.
The Congress urged the government to play by the rules in its engagement with its (NLC’s) constituent parts, stakeholders and non-state actors as proof of its commitment to deepening democracy.
The strike was largely ineffective as many ignored the Wabba led NLC to strike. The suspension came barely 48 hours after the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) paid a visit to the NLC leadership.
The leadership of the National Assembly, led by Bukola Saraki and speaker, Yakubu Dogara, also had separate meetings with the leadership of the NLC where they appealed to them to return to the negotiations table.
