The nationwide strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), commenced on Tuesday, defying a restraining court order aimed at preventing the industrial action.
The decision to embark on the strike was prompted by the assault on NLC president Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1. The attack occurred during an NLC protest against the alleged maltreatment of workers by the Imo State government.
Despite a restraining order issued by the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Friday, which prohibited the labor unions from initiating the strike, NLC and TUC directed their members to down tools nationwide starting from Tuesday. The court order, issued by Judge Benedict Kanyip, restrained the two major labor unions from commencing their industrial action scheduled for November 14.
The interim order followed an ex-parte request by the Nigerian government through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, in response to the labor unions’ threat to strike.
Disregarding the court order, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke directed compliance with the strike declaration in a letter to ASUU zonal coordinators and branch chairpersons across the country. In the letter, Mr. Osodeke urged members to join the action initiated by NLC to safeguard the interests of Nigerian workers.
When questioned about the court order, Mr. Osodeke redirected inquiries to the NLC, emphasizing that ASUU did not declare the strike; it was initiated by the NLC.
The NLC’s head of information, Benson Upah, did not respond to calls and messages seeking comments.
The presidency has characterized the strike as an illegal and unwarranted act, describing it as a form of government blackmail. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, stated in a Monday press release that the government is perplexed as to why the labor unions would punish the entire country over a personal matter involving the NLC President.