Subsidy Botched Strike: APC Stalwart berates Labour Leaders
......Says NLC,TUC needs to Focus more on Workers Welfare......
A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the Presidential campaign Committee Hon. Kikelomo Ikuomola has berated the national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for failing to initially consider the option of dialogue with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over removal of the fuel subsidy before insisting on the botched strike action that raised a nationwide tension.
Kikelomo, who spoke with our reporter yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital declared that NLC’s earlier insistence on strike action earlier slated for yesterday, 7th of June 2023, was sheer disrespect to the presidency’s invitation for a dialogue clearly indicated that leadership of the labour movement has lost focus in its avowed mission of championing the collective welfare of workers in the country.
The APC stalwart specifically declared that NLC under its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero has lost focus as an organized pressure group by its stance against the removal of the fuel subsidy which has already earned international accolades.
Kikelomo demanded for an immediate resignation of the NLC National President, Ajaero whom she accused of conniving with enemies of progress to commit economic sabotage against the country, declaring that the much reverred labour movement in Nigeria is gradually sleeping into state of irrelevance by its stance against the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Abuja based female politician also called for the arrest and immediate prosecution of the NLC National President for scheming to turn the Nigeria’s largest labour movement into an instrument of achieving a hidden ethnic agenda.
Kikelomo berated the NLC national leadership for arrogantly being absent, from the peace negotiations initiated by the present administration which would have afforded all parties that needed the opportunity to dialogue on how to mitigate the effects and the removal of the fuel subsidy.
“The Tinubu-led administration brings a fresh perspective and approach, and the NLC has the opportunity to collaborate with the government by offering their ideas, insights, focus, and policy direction to collectively move the country forward. This and more should be done by engaging in meaningful discussions and cooperation, in genuine synergy, both parties can work towards the betterment of Nigerians.
She urged the collectives of the nation’s labor movement to desist from activities that are capable of painting the union in a bad light as losing its relevance for the collective welfare of the Nigerian workers.
“I recall, during the ASUU strike, they did not make an effort to intervene. Till date, some states have failed to implement the minimum wage and we did not read anywhere that NLC was willing to go strike or picket governments of the defaulting states on behalf of these workers who are also members of NLC, among many other issues that had required their action. The NLC was docile, and now, they have suddenly found their collective voices. ”
“It is important for NLC to learn from these experiences and consistently speak up on issues. Considering the people’s interest, both NLC and President Tinubu share a common goal of working for the people’s welfare, so by recognizing this shared objectives, it becomes essential to embrace dialogue and collaboration, by maintaining a posture of calmness and fostering cooperation”.
“By working hand-in-hand with the new president and engaging in dialogue, NLC can play a significant role in shaping policies that benefit Nigerian workers, and together, they can build a prospective future for the nation and ensure that the Nigeria masses are well represented and their concerns will be addressed”.
She however, called on both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to always bear in mind that working together for a better Nigeria should be the focus of every citizen, “from urban to rural center”.
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