NLC defies El-rufai, thugs as industrial action enters day three in Kaduna State

The Industrial action of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) entered the third day on Wednesday as members of the Labour union staged another protest rally which was devoid of the skirmish witnessed on Tuesday when thugs and hoodlums clashed with the protesters as reported by Channels Television.

At the Wednesday rally in Kaduna, National President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba told members that he is impressed by the fighting spirit of the Nigerian workers and added that a people that are determined cannot be defeated.

Ayuba wondered why politicians are afraid when citizens come out to protest, while noting that it has become a norm in Nigeria to attack protesters with thugs.

“It is really unfortunate and Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock within the comity of nations. In the best democracies of the world, protests by people to air their grievances is now the norm.

“But here we are today, comrades, every slightest opportunity for people to air their views and protest as provided for clearly and unambiguously in section 40 of the Nigerian constitution…our political elites will always try to employ thugs to try and attack us.

“We condemn this in very strong terms, and we are sending a very strong message about this to the government,” he said.

Wabba told members of the NLC that the strike action has been successful so far.

“Under 48 hours-notice, we closed down all the economic sectors of the state.”

He chided the state governor, Nasir El-rufai for opting out of dialogue with labour to stop the strike action.

“It is sad that in this age people are afraid of protest…that is because the information they are giving to the public is false.

He also demanded that law enforcement should prosecute the thugs who were arrested by security agents on Wednesday mornings. The hoodlums were mobilised to break the resolve of labour and stop the industrial action.

In a direct response to the declaration of the State Government that he is a wanted person, the Labour leader was emphatic in saying that under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governor Nasir El-rufai does not have the powers to declare him wanted.

The five day warning strike by the NLC started on Monday after the Kaduna state Government sacked over seven thousand workers. According to RovingNaija findings, the strike has crippled economic activities of the state while all attempts to stop it has being resisted by the leadership and members of the labour union.