President Bola Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have urged labour unions to shelve the nationwide indefinite strike slated for October 3.
They made the appeal at a public lecture to mark the nation’s 63rd Independence Anniversary yesterday in Abuja.
While urging the labour unions to sheathe their swords in the interest of the masses, the sultan said the Tinubu administration should be given enough time to prove itself.
Stressing the need for dialogue to find solutions to the issues, the traditional ruler lamented that strike will add more problems to the existing economic situation.
He said: “I am an advocate of dialogue because strikes don’t solve problems; they make them worse. Our leaders must tighten their belts, the common man is suffering.
“I don’t think this government will just decide to make life bad for the people; as leaders and elders, we will always call on stakeholders not to embark on journeys that will make life worse for the common man.
“I don’t think government can take it upon itself to make life unbearable for the common man, let’s give them a chance and see what they can do,” he said.
“If people are on strike, there wouldn’t be electricity, water, hospital and transportation system. Please, let’s reach out to our brothers and sisters who are clamouring to go on strike. They should have a rethink,” Sultan appealed.
Speaking, the President, who was represented by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, listed palliatives that have been provided by the federal government to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
He also appealed to the unions to give government more time to address the issues, adding that the federal government is determined to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The president said: “I want to emphasise as well that this government is new and the government is doing all within its powers to make sure it brings succour to the entire people of this country.
Government has already gone ahead to provide N500 billion to states to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.”
“The President enjoined members of the unions to consider dialogue as the best way to resolve the issues. The Sultan also talked about the issue of strike by the NLC. Please, on behalf of the President and the entire government, this is not the time for strike. It is too early.
“Please let’s dialogue, let’s get together, let’s understand ourselves and let us look at the prevailing situation in the country,” he said.
After the lecture, prayers were offered for the country during the Jumaat service attended by the vice president Kashim Shettima, ministers and other dignitaries.
