ASUU: NLC Threats 3 Days Nationwide Strike

After the current two-day warning demonstration organized by the NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, the national president of the workers’ union, has warned that if the federal government does not meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the union will go on a three-day nationwide strike.

During an interview with Channels TV’s “Sunrise Daily,” Wabba gave the warning.

He added that the workers’ union organized a two-day demonstration in protest of the present ASUU strike not merely out of charity but also because the strike directly impacted 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.”

“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.”

Before the protest, Lai Mohammed, the minister of information, alleged that the protest was unlawful and would lead to disorder in the country.

Chris Ngige, the minister of labour, also made fun of the workers’ union by falsely insisting that the demonstration was against international labour practices.

The Nigeria Police Force had also insisted that the NLC obtain a permit from the Force before beginning the two-day warning protest in an effort to defend the government.

In response to the accusations made by the authorities, Wabba stated that the court had ruled that civilians were not required to obtain permission from the police or any other authority in order to conduct protests.

Wabba said, “Even the court has pronounced that you don’t require any permission. It is legal and within your fundamental human rights to protest issues.

“When people say it’s illegal, I think people should remember that no condition is permanent. We have had some of our current politicians join the NLC to press for similar actions in the past.”