Indefinite strike: 'Let's dialogue, let's sit together' - Tinubu begs

President Bola Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, have appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to shelve their planned strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.

The organised labour had fixed Tuesday, October 3, for the commencement of an indefinite strike over fuel subsidy removal.

However, speaking during the public lecture and special Juma’at prayer to mark the 63rd independence anniversary of the country at the National Mosque, Abuja, Tinubu appealed to the workers not to embark on the strike.

Represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, the President reiterated the commitment of his administration to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

In a statement by the media aide to the Deputy Senate President, Ismail Mudashir, he said, “The Sultan has talked about the issue of strike by the NLC. I also call on behalf of His Excellency, the President, and the entire government, on the labour leaders to shelve the strike.

“Let’s dialogue, let’s sit together, let’s understand ourselves, and let’s look at the prevailing situation in the country. How do we meet this country, the challenges ahead and the current challenges? It is through dialogue that we can solve our problems collectively.”

While stating that the government was new and working hard to bring succour to Nigerians,” he added, “It has set aside N500bn and other packages are being unveiled to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Therefore, we need to support and pray for the government.”

Earlier, the Sultan appealed to organised labour to give the Federal Government another chance.

He said, “For God’s sake, for Allah’s sake, anybody planning to go on strike should please give the government another chance. Please, rethink and give the government another chance.”

The Sultan, who said he had been involved in the negotiation of the labour leaders and the government since 2007, said if the NLC and TUC embarked on the strike, it would do more harm than good.