The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised the alarm over moves by some functionaries of Federal Government to create avoidable labour and political crises by seeking to break up the congress and impose a new regime of fuel price hikes. Labour alleged that the President’s men have concluded arrangement to register a new labour centre, which they hope would support anti-people policies, and cause distraction in the labour movement.
The NLC, in a statement signed by its Acting General secretary, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call affected members of his cabinet to order.
“ These hawks in government who see the NLC as being too powerful and capable of checkmating undemocratic and unpatriotic moves by the political class, have come to the conclusion that the best way out is to engineer internal ‘disagreements’ in the NLC, and hiding under this guise, to register a new labour centre which they hope will support anti-people policies and cause distractions in the labour movement. These government agents have even fixed July, 2012 as the registration date of their proposed new labour centre”, Comrade Lakemfa said.
The NLC therefore called on the President to call his men to order to avoid labour/political upheaval, as neither the government or their agents would be able to withstand the expected crises. According to him, it was the same agents who are also responsible for the anti-labour bill currently before the National Assembly.
He noted that the agents are myopic as they do not realise that the NLC is a major buffer against any unconstitutional or anti-democratic bid for power in the country.
“They do not recognize the fact that when the chips are down, it is the NLC, and not the political parties that are capable of mobilizing and getting tens of millions of Nigerians on the streets to defend our democratic project”, he reasoned. The NLC, has also called on trade unions who have enlisted for “this anti-people project”, as well as those that are being enticed to join the illegal project, to urgently retrace their steps as the NLCwould not allow the ranks of the working people to be split.
He said: “The NLC advises the trade unionists who have enlisted for this anti- people project, and those being enticed to join them, to retrace their steps as the congress will not allow the ranks of the working people to be split. The NLC and its allies put the working people on the alert for a struggle to stop this move”.
The NLC also called on President Jonathan to stop his officials who are engaged in renewed campaigns to further increase the price of fuel under the guise of a nebulous deregulation policy, which it stated that the House of Representatives had exposed as being fraudulent.
The Congress noted that the continuous waste of public fund on media campaigns, the enticement of youths and so-called Town Hall meetings was a criminal enterprise, and such fund must be put to better public use. The Labour house stated that the Presidency should see the January 9 to 16, 2012 strikes, mass rallies and street protests as a referendum by the people against a ruinous policy, and not a defeat for which the administration seeks a revenge.
“With the serious security challenges in the country, the heating up of the polity by politicians and rising poverty in the land, the NLC calls on President Jonathan to call the agents of his government to order on the twin issues of trying to break up the NLC by fiat and increasing fuel prIce. These are unnecessary battles which the government cannot win”, the Congress stressed.
“These hawks in government who see the NLC as being too powerful and capable of checkmating undemocratic and unpatriotic moves by the political class, have come to the conclussion that the best way out is to engineer internal ‘disagreements’ in the NLC, and hiding under this guise, to register a new labour centre which they hope will support anti-people policies and cause distractions in the Labour Movement. These government agents have even fixed July 2012 as the registration date of their proposed new labour centre.
The INEC said: “With the serious security challenges in the country, the heating up of the polity by politicians and rising poverty in the land, the NLC calls on President Jonathan to call the agents of his government to order on the twin issues of trying to break up the NLC by fiat and increasing fuel prIce. These are unnecessary battles which the government cannot win”. The statement added.
Posted: at 14-05-2012 10:20 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
all_d_audible at 15-05-2012 12:55 AM (12 years ago) (f)
I will not follow NLC to read any news nor support them anymore...because when citizens both in Nigeria and abroad were fighting against the first fuel subsidy removal, innocent protesters died on protest grounds but the so called NLC leaders went behind closed doors and agreed with the president on the removal without any particular benefit to the nation.
Before You thought the president was behind you, forgeting that he has witty advisers and planners, you dont know his underground plans to destabilize your NLC because he knew people will not protest again because you have failed them. Let me tell you that the the division has began long time ago but you are only noticing now because you were blinded with greed and selfishness.
for your information NLC leader You have disappointed us and now you are crying for the moon. As for me, I leave this into the hands of God, we are not discouraged, but if there is another fuel price hike do one will answer youbut lets wait until then
Look very well NLC leader, if you are shouting because another new NLC is about to take over from you then Ayanga you and your family with your pot belly
I believe that justice will prevail against any injustice in the future because if there will be changes things wil get tough just like a raw gold that is tried in fire before bringing out its beauty and the cloud when full of rain will be dark. I support Nigeria not NLC nro the government so whatever people decide home and away is what i shall follow
Posted: at 15-05-2012 12:55 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
steveoneal at 15-05-2012 09:44 AM (12 years ago) (m)
Quote from: all_d_audible on 15-05-2012 12:55 AM
I will not follow NLC to read any news nor support them anymore...because when citizens both in Nigeria and abroad were fighting against the first fuel subsidy removal, innocent protesters died on protest grounds but the so called NLC leaders went behind closed doors and agreed with the president on the removal without any particular benefit to the nation.
Before You thought the president was behind you, forgeting that he has witty advisers and planners, you dont know his underground plans to destabilize your NLC because he knew people will not protest again because you have failed them. Let me tell you that the the division has began long time ago but you are only noticing now because you were blinded with greed and selfishness.
for your information NLC leader You have disappointed us and now you are crying for the moon. As for me, I leave this into the hands of God, we are not discouraged, but if there is another fuel price hike do one will answer youbut lets wait until then
Look very well NLC leader, if you are shouting because another new NLC is about to take over from you then Ayanga you and your family with your pot belly
I believe that justice will prevail against any injustice in the future because if there will be changes things wil get tough just like a raw gold that is tried in fire before bringing out its beauty and the cloud when full of rain will be dark. I support Nigeria not NLC nro the government so whatever people decide home and away is what i shall followGOD BLESS YOU;; THOSE NLC ARE MOTHERphyukERS;;; AND THEY AINT GOTTEN NOTHING TO SAY NOW;; THE SOLD THE POPULACE THE FIRST TIME BY AGREEING TO THE PRICE HIKE ; IN THE FIRST PLACE
Posted: at 15-05-2012 09:44 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
But the President some days back said that he has no intention of increasing the fuel price, Make una take una time oh, just tell us that you are scared another group is about coming up to take over from you, that we can understand. Not saying what is not true.
Posted: at 15-05-2012 10:14 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
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