A media aide to President Bola Tinubu has said that the Organised Labour which comprises the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) are allegedly suffering Nigerians.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated this against the backdrop of the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Organised Labour on Monday over the Federal Government’s failure to meet their N494,000 minimum wage demand.
During the industrial action, members of the union shut the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, as well as the power grid and threw the country into utter darkness.
Onanuga added that Labour’s action was due to the grudge they harbour against the president.
The decision of the union has also generated different reactions from some citizens.
He lamented that many sick Nigerians could not access medical care at government hospitals.
He added that Labour seemed to be playing politics, noting that many of the affiliates of the two central unions – NLC and TUC – are members and supporters of the Labour Party.
Taking to his X account to upbraid the civil disobedience, Onanuga wrote: “It’s saddening that Labour could go to this extreme. But it is not surprising to the perceptive minds. Labour is harming the Nigerian people they claim to be fighting for.”
“Today, many sick Nigerians could not access medical care at government hospitals. Not even those with critical medical conditions. It appears Labour is playing politics by other means. Many of the affiliates of the two central unions, NLC and TUC are members and supporters of the Labour Party.
“They logically bear ill-will and grudges against the Tinubu administration. What is clear is that the issue they claim to be fighting for cannot be resolved by blackmail or sabotage, they cannot even be resolved by the Federal Government unilaterally. The Labour leaders will still have to return to the negotiating table.”
