NLC, TUC Strike Not In National Interest –Presidency

The Presidency has described the nationwide strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as not in the national interest.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Monday directed all its members to withdraw their services nationwide from Tuesday over an assault on the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.

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The presidency, however said the strike action by the unions was a flagrant disobedience to a court order and a lack of respect for the judiciary.

Accordingly, the government expressed displeasure that the nation’s economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interests of any labour leader.

“This decision by the NLC and TUC, other than being an ego-tripping move, is unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200 million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to an assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable, and irresponsible,” the statement reads.

According to reports, a court order was issued four days ago which restrained the unions from embarking on a strike. This is after NLC, TUC issued a nationwide strike notice, November 1, 2023 over the assault on the president of NLC, Joe Ajaero.