Barely 24 hours after accusing the leadership of labour unions of treason for shutting down power grid during a two-day nationwide strike, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had come under fire.

During plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio specifically declared the shutdown of the national grid was more of economic sabotage than an agitation for new minimum wage and also disruption of hajj flights.

He consequently declared such a situation would not be allowed to re-occur, “as laws against it would be reflected in the new National Minimum Wage Act that would be enacted soon after submission of a bill to that effect by the executive.”

But in a statement, yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said Akpabio’s statement undermines the nation’s democracy and called on him to issue an immediate apology.

Benson Upah, head, Information and Public Affairs of NLC, in the statement, also described Akpabio’s utterances as troubling.

“The NLC strongly refutes Akpabio’s recent claims that the indefinite nationwide strike by the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) constitutes economic sabotage. Such accusations are baseless and deeply troubling for Nigerian patriots and democracy advocates,” the labour union said in the statement.

The labour union said the strike initiated on June 3 was in response to the Federal Government’s refusal to conclude the national minimum wage negotiations, reverse electricity tariff hikes, and end discriminatory consumer classifications.

“This legally-conducted strike reflects the frustration of Nigerian workers facing economic hardships and deteriorating working conditions. Akpabio’s statements undermine the democratic principles the Senate professes to uphold. The National Assembly, being the closest arm of government to the people, should understand the people’s sentiments. This ought to guide their actions and pronouncements accordingly.

“Strikes are not only legal, but a civic duty and a critical tool for holding those in authority and power accountable. It is a democratic right, essential for preventing dictatorship and social collapse.

“For the past 25 years, the political elite wilfully sabotaged Nigeria through acts of corruption and abuse of power, not the workers. The true economic saboteurs are those looting national resources, not the labour force.”

NLC urged other elected members of the National Assembly to distance themselves from Akpabio’s ‘damaging remarks’.

“We, therefore, urge patriotic members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to distance themselves from these damaging remarks. Nigerian workers have the constitutional right to strike in response to unfair labour practices, and the NLC and TUC have exercised this right lawfully.

“The economic issues prompting the strike, like electricity tariff hikes and unfair consumer classifications, are burdens that exacerbate poverty and inequality but from which the political elite are insulated. The NLC will continue to advocate fair economic policies and a national minimum wage that is realistic.

“Labor unions played a crucial role in restoring democracy to Nigeria, from which current lawmakers benefit therefore, they will not sabotage it. The NLC remains committed to protecting workers’ rights and calls on government representatives to address the underlying issues leading to the strike through constructive dialogue and genuine efforts to improve living standards instead of indulging in eye-service criticism.

“The Senate president should be concerned about the militarisation of a purely trade union dispute instead of this unhelpful blame game. Let those who are inviting the military now remember when tomorrow comes. Nigerian workers cannot operate under military conditions in a democracy, we will resist this with everything we have. Doing this, on time, will avert another round of industrial crisis.

“The Senate president’s subtle threat that the Senate will move into executive session to address the issue of our strike smacks of contempt for open and transparent debate which ought to be the bedrock of parliamentary proceedings. As he goes into the ‘coven’, the Senate president should realise that the right to strike is now settled by the International Labour Organisation despite Simon Lalong as minister of labour voting against it.

“We call on him to retrace his steps and know that he is the president of the Senate and not chairman of the supreme military council of Nigeria.

“We remain open to dialogue with the government for sustainable solutions benefitting all Nigerians and expect proactive interventions to prevent anti-worker policies. We will not be intimidated by such unfortunate statements from the hallowed chambers of the Senate and we expect due apologies if it was a slip.

“Any attempt to undermine legitimate labour actions will not be acceptable to us.” (Daily Sun)