The United Action Front of Civil Society has said it has fully endorsed the indefinite nationwide strike action jointly declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and vowed to enforce a sit-at-home.
The group called on Nigerians to rally behind NLC and TUC in protest against the insensitivity and dubious politics of the Nigerian government, which has, so far, demonstrated a total lack of comprehension and sensitivity to the economic challenges facing the country.
Action Front noted that the declaration for an indefinite strike became imperative following the expiration of a two-day warning strike earlier embarked upon by the NLC on September 5 and 6 over the failure of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate commitment to implementing a series of agreements and pledges which the government reneged upon as well as the 21-day ultimatum.
The group in a statement issued by Olawale Okunniyi, Head, National Coordinating Centre, United Action Front of Civil Society said that the present government lacked the requisite wherewithal to fix the rots allegedly perpetrated by the immediate past government of the same party.
“It is unfortunate that while the arbitrary fuel price hike in the name of subsidy removal on the premium motor spirit (PMS) has pushed most Nigerians below the poverty line, the government continues to play the Ostrich despite the promises made to labour leaders on the need for upward review of workers’ wages, inclusive palliatives to citizens, among others.
“The leadership of the organised civil society, therefore, urges all Nigerians to rally behind NLC and TUC in protest against the insensitivity and dubious politics of the Nigerian government, which has, so far, demonstrated total lack of comprehension and sensitivity to the economic challenges facing the country.
“We wish to reiterate that the inhuman policy of arbitrary hike in fuel price has further impoverished and pauperised millions of households, who were hitherto merely coping with meagre wages and incomes for their livelihoods.
“It is evident that the present government lacks the requisite wherewithal to fix the rots perpetrated by the immediate past government of the same party and may eventually end up worsening the situation. It is regrettable that rather than prioritise reduction in the costs of governance, the Tinubu administration is deliberately indulging in over-bloated appointments as typified by the appointment of the highest number of ministers and the largest cabinet yet in Nigeria history” the statement said.
The group decried the insensitivity and deceitful ploy of the Nigerian government to “pauperise and enslave the Nigerian workers”, calling for the reversal of the suffocating policies of economic slavery in the name of fuel subsidy removal.
“Again, we wish to emphasise that the Tinubu administration cannot in good conscience insist on arbitrary fuel price hike while those who looted the national treasury in the name of subsidy are today being accorded red-carpet treatment all over the place. More disturbing is that the government appears determined to subject the citizens to more hardship with the prevailing abysmal exchange rate with consequences for higher inflation in the country.
The group, however, urged the NLC and the TUC to remain resolute in defending the country against all forms of anti-masses policies that have foisted unmitigated poverty on millions of Nigerians and unprecedented unemployment and hardship in both the urban and rural communities.
