After series of failed negotiations between the Federal Government to resolve issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has pledged to embark on a three-day nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to accede to the demands of ASSU.
During a protest in Ikeja, the Lagos NLC chairperson, Agnes Sessy, issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to act or risk another #ENDSARS protest.
In her words: “If the Federal Government does not resolve the strike within two weeks, there would be a nationwide mass protest. In fact, the ENDSARS protest would be a child’s play.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, has said that the workers’ union will embark on a three-day nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to accede to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities after the ongoing two-day warning protest organised by the NLC.
Wabba, who spoke on a TV programme also stated that the workers’ union embarked on a two-day protest against the ongoing ASUU strike not just as a show of solidarity, but because the strike directly affected the NLC.
He said, “The two-day warning strike is to call for attention for the issues to be resolved promptly. The next level is a three-day national warning strike if nothing has happened after the protest, to show our grievances. “We are not on a solidarity action, we are affected directly.” He said.
Wabba, who stated that the ongoing protest was a democratic norm which was constitutional and supported by the international charters, added that it was not illegal to carry out such demonstration on the streets.
“These are democratic norms everywhere in the world. Even as an individual, you have the right to air your grievances.
“It is within the provision of our law. It is backed by the United Nations charter for human and peoples rights, African charter for human and peoples rights, and it is there in our constitution — sections 39 and 40.” He maintained.