Senate President Godswill Akpabio has faced sharp criticism from organized labour after condemning their decision to shut down the national grid, labeling it as economic sabotage.
In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) fired back on Wednesday, June 5, asserting that the true economic saboteurs are those who misuse national resources.
The NLC firmly denied Akpabio’s claims that the recent indefinite nationwide strike over the disputed minimum wage was an act of economic sabotage.
Instead, they argued that the political elite, through corruption and abuse of power, have been sabotaging Nigeria for the past 25 years, not the labour force.
Benson Upah, the head of information and public affairs for the NLC, released a statement asserting that Akpabio’s comments and the Senate’s potential move to address the strike in an executive session show a disregard for transparent and open debate, which should be the foundation of parliamentary proceedings.
“The NLC strongly refutes Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent claims that the indefinite nationwide strike by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) constitutes economic sabotage.
Such accusations are baseless and deeply troubling for Nigerian patriots and democracy advocates,” the statement read.
The strike, initiated on June 3rd, was in response to the federal government’s refusal to conclude national minimum wage negotiations, reverse electricity tariff hikes, and end discriminatory consumer classifications.
The NLC emphasized that their strike is both legal and a reflection of the frustration of Nigerian workers facing economic hardships and deteriorating working conditions, stating, “Strikes are not only legal but a civic duty.”
Source: X (Formally known as Twitter)