President Bola Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, not to embark on their planned strike over fuel subsidy removal, News About Nigeria reports.
The duo, therefore, appealed to the workers to embrace dialogue and negotiation with the Federal Government.
The organised labour on Tuesday, fixed October 3, for the commencement of an indefinite strike over fuel subsidy removal.
The President made the appeal to the workers not to embark on the strike during the public lecture and special Juma’at prayer to mark the 63rd independence anniversary of the country at the National Mosque, Abuja.
Tinubu who was represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, restated his administration’s commitment towards cushioning the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
According to a statement by the media aide to the Deputy Senate President, Ismail Mudashir, he said, “I also call, on behalf of His Excellency, the President, and the entire government, on the labour leaders to shelve the strike.
“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 this country, the challenges ahead and the current challenges? It is through dialogue that we can solve our problems collectively.”
The Deputy Senate President also noted that, although, the administration is new, it is working tirelessly to bring succour to Nigerians.
He also noted that, it is why the administration provided palliatives to help the people cushion the harsh realities of the subsidy removal.
“It has set aside N500bn and other packages are being unveiled to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Therefore, we need to support and pray for the government.”
Also speaking on the planned strike, the Sultan of Sokoto appealed to organised labour to give the Federal Government another chance.
According to him, if the NLC and TUC embarked on the strike, it would do more harm than good.
“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 pleaded.
