Indications are pointing to a possible elongation of the crisis rocking the labour movement in Nigeria, with government security agencies seemingly playing a role which tends to put one of the factions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at a disadvantage.
The Nigeria Police led by Solomon Arase, acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), was at the weekend accused of putting the wrong foot forward again in its handling of fundamental rights and freedom of Nigerians, as policemen in Lagos, barred workers belonging to the Joe Ajaero faction NLC from the National Stadium, Lagos, the supposed venue for May 1, Workers’ Day, citing “an order from above”.
The action, it is feared, may further deepen the crisis in the NLC as it seems to have confirmed the position expressed by the Ajaero faction that the government and security agencies had allegedly connived with the Wabba Ayuba faction of the NLC to suppress the will of Nigerian workers to choose their leaders. As it is, the NLC is a house divided against itself with about 17 affiliates belonging to the Ajaero faction, and 25 other affiliates aligning with the Ayuba faction. While Lagos is the stronghold of the Ajaero group, Abuja remains the operational base of the Ayuba’s faction.
At the Eagle Square, Abuja, where the rally held with Bobboi Kaigama, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in attendance, without molestation by security agencies, Wabba, preached the need for democratic consolidation, economic revival and national rebirth.
“While we believe that Nigeria will certainly require an economic reform to address the current fiscal and structural challenges worsened by low oil price and subsequently weak capital inflows, we are more convinced that the way to go is certainly not in cutting jobs, wages and salaries of workers, nor in any disguise making workers the sacrificial lambs of economic mismanagement.
“The primary and most important action is to block all avenues of leakages in budget inflows and expenditure. Closely related to this, is the need to reduce the cost of governance especially which involves maintenance of a large retinue of staff and political ‘hangers on’. This should be complimented by revenue reforms in such way that space required for growth and stability is enhanced and protected. To this end, government needs to be open and transparent as well as accountable. We are of the firm opinion that this action will generate the immediate short to medium term resources required to get the new administration started,” he said.
Abubakar Momoh, a professor of political science and social advocate, has warned that the division in the NLC portends danger to the labour movement as the government may cash in to further balkanise labour; a development he feared would not augur well for workers and the economy. Momoh in a paper titled ‘The labour movement and the quest for good governance’ he delivered last week at a symposium in Lagos, said the Nigerian economy still struggling to come out of its myriad of predicaments such as the impact of the declining oil prices, devaluation of the naira, high unemployment level among others, needed a united and strong level movement that would contribute to the quality of governance as the new administration takes over from May 29. “NLC must resolve its differences,” Momoh said.
Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor has also expressed concern over the factionalisation of labour. According to Fashola, “a divided labour is a fragile labour. The new government coming in from the state and national level need a united and strong labour not a divided labour force that cannot deliver on its aspirations. So, whatever it takes, all of you the leaders must reach out and compromise and you must have one united labour,” the governor said as he addressed the workers, Friday, at Onikan Stadium.
But in what is certain to further deepen the disagreement in the NLC, a detachment of mobile and regular policemen, armed to the teeth and accompanied by Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) had arrived at the main entrance of the National Stadium as early as 6:30am before the workers who had booked and paid for the venue started arriving to find all entrances to the stadium locked, with stern looking policemen in combat ready positions.
All entreaties to the police to allow the workers entry into the stadium were rebuffed. The policemen did not, however, harass anybody but simply warned the workers to steer clear in order not to incur their wrath. The most senior officer, T.O. Bakare, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) who led the troop, was seen giving instructions to his men. Upon the arrival of Joe Ajaero, the NLC factional president, Bakare was again heard warning the workers against drumming which he said could attract “hoodlums”.
Kenneth Nwosu, the police public relations officer (PPRO), Lagos command, when contacted through a telephone for comment, told BDSUNDAY that the command received an information to the effect that “miscreants” were planning to invade the National Stadium, and the police, having the responsibility to protect lives and properties, mobilised to the stadium to prevent the “miscreants” and ensure peace.
Nwosu added that he was aware that the NLC was holding its May Day rally at the Onikan Stadium. When told that the Onikan Stadium rally was at the state level, and the one slated for the National Stadium was national, he said “NLC is one” and the national was holding a rally in Abuja.
But the leadership of the Ajaero group condemned the action, saying it was a case of intimidation, harassment and infringement on the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers which are guaranteed in the constitution.
Ajaero backed by members of his National Administration Council (NAC) and National Executive Council (NEC), including Isa Aremu, deputy president, and Tokunbo Korodo, chairman, Lagos State council of the NLC, explained that the National Stadium venue had been paid for, and the police duly informed ahead of the Workers’ Day celebration. According to them, it was shocking arriving at the venue to see policemen take over the gate with Armoured Personnel Carrier, and denying workers entry.
Determined to go ahead with the May Day rally, the workers later marched outside the stadium with a message of respect for the rights of association, expression, movement which they said the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari, president-elect must uphold.
“We condemn the unprovoked siege by fully armed mobile police on the peaceful gathering of workers at the venue of this year’s workers day celebration. Early this morning (Friday), National Stadium was sealed preventing thousands of workers that trooped to mark the 2015 May Day.
We warn the IG to learn from the misadventure of his predecessors and ensure that he operates within the ambit of the law. We have a fundamental right to peaceful assembly and information. The IG should know that no one can intimidate us not to exercise our fundamental rights,” Ajaero said in his message.
He announced that the labour movement would be approaching the government with a proposal of N90, 000 minimum wage as the five-year period for the current N18, 000 national minimum wage expires this year.
On the economy, he said the critical challenge for the incoming administration was that the steady growth of the last decade has not translated into improved well being for the majority of our people. “The Nigerian economy had recorded impressive growth averaging about 6 percent in the last 10 years, yet over 70 percent of our people remain poor, surviving on less than two dollars a day. Nigerians are expectant that the Buhari administration will address the widening inequality and poverty in the country.
“The growing inequality can only be addressed by a serious commitment to developing the critical sectors of the economy and opening of the agricultural sector and the revival of manufacturing. Value-added activities in agriculture and manufacturing will open up the space for creation of mass decent jobs for millions of our young school leavers. The current unemployment rate is unacceptable; the government must act decisively to address this challenge.
“The development of the real sectors and increased value-added in manufacturing are quite critical for creation of mass decent jobs, elimination of poverty and for building a virile and sustainable economy. We shall engage the in-coming administration on these issues,” he said.
JOSHUA BASSEY
