The Labour Union had on Tuesday staged a protest over hardship in the land as well as the refusal of the federal government to implement agreement reached with the unions.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday stated that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) cannot fight an administration which is just nine-month old.
The Labour Union had on Tuesday staged a protest over hardship in the land as well as the refusal of the federal government to implement agreement reached with the unions.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero handed over the union’s letter of demands to the National Assembly.
Ajaero handed over the letter to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang on Tuesday.
The demands included full implementation of the welfare provisions, employment generation, immediate subsidy to farmers, immediate subsidy to farmers to boost agricultural production, and fixing the four refineries among others.
Ajaero in his remarks at the National Assembly, had said Nigerians embarked on the peaceful protests because there was hunger in the land, adding that “Nigeria is becoming like Zimbabwe.”
Ajaero noted that the minimum wage negotiation had started but the amount was yet to be decided.
He said that the protest would serve as a signal to the FG to immediately tackle the challenges bedeviling the country.
However, President Tinubu on Thursday during the commissioning of the Lagos Red Line Train connecting from Agbado to Oyingbo, condemned the protest, noted that the Labour movement was not the only voice of the people.
The President explained that corruption was fighting back and vowed that the government would exterminate corruption. He added that the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate is temporary, begging Nigerians to persevere.
“There is very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Nigeria will be out of economic problem, we just need to persevere and work hard.
“Allow me to throw a jab here. The Labour Union should understand that you are not the only one with freedom and rights.
“If you want to participate in the electoral process, meet us in 2027. If not maintain peace. You are not only voice of Nigeria.
Tinubu stated that there was no going back on his reforms despite resistance by those he called “smugglers.”
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