Nationwide Strike: ‘It’s Going To Be Difficult For Ajaero To Back Out’ – Ex TUC President, Esele Gives Reasons

A former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, has given reasons why it’s next to impossible for the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, to back out of the proposed industrial action.

Naija News recalls that the labour union had proposed a nationwide strike to protest what it calls harsh policies and removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The NLC, after its National Executive Council on Friday, picked August 2 to commence a nationwide strike and mass protests.

Following the announcement of the strike by the NLC, the government immediately called for an emergency meeting with the organised labour comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress with a follow-up meeting on Friday at the State House.

But on Friday, officials of the organised labour angrily stormed out of the meeting following the alleged failure of the government team to show up.

Reacting to the development, the former TUC boss said the Federal Government has not done enough to stop organised labour from embarking on strike and protest over the fuel subsidy removal.

Esele, while on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics Sunday, noted that at this point, it would be difficult for the NLC to back out because the union would be accused of selling out.

The former union leader said, “I am at a loss why at this point in time, the Federal Government would have allowed labour to go ahead and issue an ultimatum because right now it will be very difficult for Ajaero to back out; if he backs out he is going to be accused of selling out.

“And the other option for the government is that they should come out and say, ‘This is what we are doing.’ You just saw one of their demands which is that government should invest in CNG.

“I also have my worry about the protest and the strike, but the challenge now is that even the organised labour will be up against the leadership for them to do something. So, the Federal Government has not done enough in allowing labour to go this far.”