NLC, TUC strike an attempt to blackmail FG – Presidency

The Presidency has described the latest industrial action by the organised labour as an ego tripping move aimed at blackmailing the Federal Government.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement that the strike being called by NLC and TUC amounted to contempt of court.

He said: “Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege.

“Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.

“This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.

“The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order.”

Onanuga pointed out that the strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible.

“What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country.

“This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego tripping move is clearly 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 200million 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,” Onanuga said.

Persecondnews recalls that the Federal Government had on Friday secured a restraining order against the organised labour from embarking on industrial action on November 14.

Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, President of the court, issued the restraining order following an ex-parte application before the court by Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.