The Nigerian government has warned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against embarking on strike over the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The government issued the warning on Wednesday through a statement by the Federal Ministry of Justice, saying any industrial action embarked upon by the union with respect to the removal of fuel subsidy would amount to contempt of court.
“It is, therefore, our minimum expectation that NLC will allow the courts perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court,” the statement signed by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice Permanent, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, read in part.
The statement is a reminder to the union of an order issued by the National Industrial Court in Abuja on 5 June, restraining the organised Labour comprising the NLC, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates from embarking on strike.
“It is noted that the issues (removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in the cost of living, etc.) which precipitated the above court action are the very same issues over which NLC has now issued another strike notice.
“The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is, therefore, our minimum expectation that NLC will allow the courts to perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court,” the statement read in part.
Ms Jedy-Agba, who runs the justice ministry pending when the minister will be appointed, also remarked that the planned strike by the NLC was a mark of the union’s disdain for the judiciary.
“We note with dismay that this latest strike notice is consistent with the inexplicable disdain which the NLC leadership has visited on the authority of the court in recent times following earlier inciting and derogatory remarks made by the NLC President against the court.
“Indeed, the avowed penchant of the leadership of the union for casting aspersions on the Judiciary is quite worrisome and concerning,” she said.