The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sa’ad Abubakar, has appealed to Labour Unions in the country to shelve their planned nationwide indefinite strike for the sake of the masses.
Sharpedgenews reports that the Organised Labour Unions in the country fixed 3rd of October to embark on an indefinite strike following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Sultan Abubakar made the appeal on Friday, during a Public Lecture to commemorate the nation’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, in the National Mosque, Abuja.
He emphasised the need for the Unions to continue to engage in dialogue with the government to find lasting solutions rather than embarking on strike.
”I am an advocate of dialogue because strikes don’t solve problems but make it (them) worse.
“Our leaders must tighten their belt; the common man is suffering.
“I don’t think this government will just decide to make life worse for itself and 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 any government takes it upon itself to make life unbearable for the common man; let’s give them a chance and see what they can do.”
According to him, a strike action will worsen the existing economic situation.
”There wouldn’t be electricity, water, hospital and transportation systems.
“Please let’s reach out to our brothers and sisters who are clamouring to go on strike to please rethink,” Sultan Abubakar appealed.
For his part, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin who represented President Bola Tinubu, also appealed to the Unions to give the government more time to address the issues.
He said that the Tinubu administration remained determined to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
”I want to emphasise as well that this government is new and the government is doing all within its power to make sure it brings succor to the entire people of this country.
“Government has already gone ahead to provide for a sum of N500billion in order to bring about a package of palliatives to States to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
“The President, therefore, enjoins 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,” Jibrin said.