Following President Tinubu’s announcement regarding the removal of subsidies and NNPC price adjustments, a liter of gasoline is now being sold for above N500 throughout the nation.
Since then, lines for the essential good have grown significantly, aggravating the traffic situation in some areas of the nation even as transportation costs have increased by more than 100%.
A statewide strike was planned to start on Wednesday as a result of unsuccessful talks between Organized Labor and the Federal Government, but that was postponed by a court order issued on June 5, 2023, which was issued on Monday.
On Monday, the court also issued an order prohibiting the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from going on any kind of strike.
In a decision on an exparte application, Justice O.Y. Anuwe barred the defendants (the TUC and the NLC) from starting the planned statewide strike on Wednesday pending the hearing and resolution of the motion of notice dated June 5, 2023.
The originating proceedings, the motion on notice, and the court order must all be served on the defendants right away, the judge further directed. The Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation are applicants in the matter.
“The urgency enumerated in the affidavit of urgency and counsel’s submission reveals a scenario that may gravely affect the larger society and indeed the well-being of the nation at large,” the court document showed.
“Counsel has pointed out that students of Secondary Schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams will be affected; the tertiary institutions who have only just resumed after a long ASUU strike will also be affected, not leaving the health sector, amongst other sectors; and above all, the economy of the nation.
“In my view, this situation of extreme urgency will require the intervention of this court.”
