The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly rebutted Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claims that the recent indefinite nationwide strike by organised labour constitutes economic sabotage.
This strike, initiated on June 3 by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), was in response to the federal government’s failure to conclude national minimum wage negotiations, reverse electricity tariff hikes, and end discriminatory consumer classifications.
The NLC contends that the legally sanctioned strike is a direct reflection of the frustration felt by Nigerian workers who are grappling with economic hardships and deteriorating working conditions.
The labour union dismissed Akpabio’s accusations as “baseless and deeply troubling for Nigerian patriots and democracy advocates.”
In a statement signed by NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, on Wednesday, the organisation criticised Akpabio’s remarks, asserting that they undermine the democratic principles the Senate professes to uphold.
“Senator Akpabio’s statements undermine the democratic principles the Senate professes to uphold. The National Assembly, being the closest arm of government to the people, should understand the people’s sentiments. This ought to guide their actions and pronouncements accordingly,” the statement read.
The NLC emphasised that strikes are not only legal but a civic duty and a critical tool for holding those in authority accountable. They argued that strikes are a democratic right essential for preventing dictatorship and social collapse.
“For the past 25 years, the political elite wilfully sabotaged Nigeria through acts of corruption and abuse of power, not the workers. The true economic saboteurs are those looting national resources, not the labour force,” Upah added.
The labour union urged patriotic members of the Senate and House of Representatives to distance themselves from Akpabio’s damaging remarks. They reiterated that Nigerian workers have a constitutional right to strike in response to unfair labor practices, a right lawfully exercised by the NLC and TUC.
The NLC also highlighted the economic issues prompting the strike, such as electricity tariff hikes and unfair consumer classifications, which they argue exacerbate poverty and inequality.
“The NLC will continue to advocate for fair economic policies and a national minimum wage that is realistic. Labour unions played a crucial role in restoring democracy to Nigeria, from which current lawmakers benefit therefore, they will not sabotage it,” the statement continued.
The NLC called on government representatives to address the underlying issues leading to the strike through constructive dialogue and genuine efforts to improve living standards, instead of indulging in eye-service criticism. They expressed concern over the Senate President’s suggestion of militarising a purely trade union dispute and condemned it as an unhelpful blame game.
“Let those who are inviting the military now remember when tomorrow comes. Nigerian workers cannot operate under military conditions in a democracy, we will resist this with everything we have. Doing this on time will avert another round of industrial crisis,” Upah warned.
The NLC concluded by calling on Senate President Akpabio to retract his statements and understand that he is the President of the Senate, not the Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria.
They reiterated their openness to dialogue with the government for sustainable solutions benefiting all Nigerians and warned against any attempts to undermine legitimate labour actions.
“We remain open to dialogue with the government for sustainable solutions benefiting all Nigerians and expect proactive interventions to prevent anti-worker policies. We will not be intimidated by such unfortunate statements from the hallowed chambers of the Senate and we expect due apologies if it was a slip. Any attempt to undermine legitimate labour actions will not be acceptable to us,” the statement concluded.
