Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, has voiced his concerns over the ongoing strike by the organized Labour unions, which commenced on June 3, 2024.
Onanuga took to social media to express that the strike is detrimental to the Nigerian populace.
He suggested that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) might be influenced by their affiliation with the opposition Labour Party, implying that their actions against the Tinubu government could be politically motivated.
Onanuga's statement read:
"It is disheartening to see Labour take such drastic measures. The current strike is inflicting harm upon the very Nigerians they aim to protect. The inability of patients to receive treatment in government hospitals today is a grave concern. It seems that the Labour unions are engaging in politics through different means. Given the affiliation of many NLC and TUC members with the Labour Party, there appears to be an underlying animosity towards the Tinubu administration. The issues at hand cannot be addressed through coercion or disruption; they require mutual dialogue, and ultimately, the Labour leaders must re-engage in negotiations."
The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, market women, government workers among others have joined in the strike.
This move by the Labour Union have ca9lled for the increase in minimum wage from government's proposed N60,000 to N494,000.
His comment has since attracted several comments from Nigerians on social media.
@Ayoksy: Imagine this statement.
Even Buhari's government planned to increase the minimum wage before removing the subsidy.
Your govt removed subsidy and a full year after hasn't touched minimum wage and you are here saying it's politics.
How did we end up with people like this in govt???
@mavisikpeme: You’ve never for once called out FG for impoverishing people, little or no pay to fend for their loved ones on sick beds let alone eat . People have been dying daily cos Dey can’t even afford antibiotics but just one day off electricity which is usually a norm except that we know this is human made, you’ve become so sympathetic. Bloody hypocrite!!!
@bruzieee: One year after the life truncating subsidy removal, wages remain the same and you’re typing this?
Ovih Williams: It’s sad Tinubu inherited this but he knew about all this and what we was getting into when he decided to run office.
During his campaign, he told us he has the experience and the right team to run this country and no one should feel sorry for him, he said that himself.
So it’s left for you guys to step up and do what you’re there to do, there’s no need coming online to look for sympathy.
Time to put on your big boy pants and show the world what you guys are made of.
It’s swim or sink time, ladies and gentlemen.
Tick tock, the clock is ticking and the world is watching.
It’s saddening that Labour could go to this extreme. But it is not surprising to the perceptive minds. Labour is harming the Nigerian people they claim to be fighting for. Today, many sick Nigerians could not access medical care at government hospitals. Not even those with… https://t.co/LiRA57IlBE
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) June 3, 2024
