Subsidy: NLC says no split within unions, no going back on proposed nationwide strike, it insists

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has debunked speculations that it might back down on its proposed nationwide industrial action slated for Wednesday.

The Union in a statement issued on Sunday, by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said the only reason it would back down on strike is when the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited did the needful by returning to status quo.

Reacting to a story in a national newspaper on Sunday, the Union described the report as laughable and “desperate attempt by enemies of the people to polarise Nigeria Labour Congress along ethnic or regional lines” on an issue with a national spread.

The statement read: “The lead story on the front page of ThisDay of Sunday, June 4th, 2023 entitled NLC Divided as North, South-West Chapters May Shun Planned Strike, is a laughable and desperate attempt by enemies of the people to polarise Nigeria Labour Congress along ethnic or regional lines on an issue with a national spread.

“Happily, this scenario only plays in their imagination as Nigeria Labour Congress continues to be the biggest pan-Nigerian organisation united by a common vision/ mission and shared national values.

“On the looming strike action, we want to assure that all the affiliate unions of the Congress stand together with an unshakeable resolve to prosecute, come Wednesday, except the NNPC and Government do the needful.

“Whereas primordial sentiments such as religion, region or ethnicity may be a refuge for some, at the Nigeria Labour Congress, they have no place.

“What counts for us are issues such as the mindless and criminal increase in the pump price of PMS whose burden will be borne by the already impoverished communities of the poor across Nigeria.

“The burden of this malevolent policy will not be borne by other segments of the country to the exclusion of the North or South-West. Thus, there is no reason for these regions to back out of the strike.

“We do not know from where ThisDay got their story. However, if this is their way of making up for the gaps in their relationship with the new entities in power, we would say, it is rather excessive!”