President Tinubu, Sultan of Sokoto Beg NLC, TUC to Shelve Planned October 3rd Nationwide Strike

Moved by the dangers, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged organized labour unions to shelve the planned October 3 indefinite strike for the good of the Nation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had on September 26 announced that it would mobilize members for an indefinite strike on October 3 over the economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.

But, speaking at a public lecture in Abuja to mark the Nation’s 63rd independence anniversary, the President, represented by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, urged the unions to give the government more time to address all the issues they raised.

Jibrin stated that the federal government “is determined” to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

He reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to cushion the fuel subsidy removal effect.

“Let’s dialogue, let’s sit together, let’s understand ourselves and let’s look at the prevailing situation in the country. How do we meet the needs of this country, the challenges ahead and the current challenges? It is through dialogue that we can be able to solve our problems collectively.

“This government is new and working hard to assist the entire people of this country. It has set aside N500 billion, and other packages are being unveiled to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Therefore, we need to support and pray for the government”.

Earlier, the Sultan appealed to the organized labour to shelve the strike, saying they should give the federal government another chance.

“For God’s sake, for Allah’s sake, anybody planning to go on strike should please give the government another chance. Please rethink and give the government another chance,” he said, emphasizing the need for the labour leaders to embrace dialogue.

He continued: “I don’t believe they should embark on this strike in the next couple of days because the common man will suffer more than the leaders they are targeting”, he said.

Meanwhile, NLC and TUC had insisted on Friday that there is no going back as its members and affiliated unions had commenced mobilization in compliance with the planned strike.