Labour defies FG’s threat, shuts down Lagos Airport

The Nigerian Labour Congress, its sister union the Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Organisations Wednesday morning made good its decision to defy the Federal Government as they poured into the streets to protest the high fuel price and the hardship occasioned by this.

It would be recalled that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, Tuesday night issued a threat warning to workers that they should respect the rule of law desist from participating in an “illegal strike”, thereafter directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to invoke the provision of “no work, no pay” in respect of any staff who is absent.

The SGF added that acts of intimidation, harassment, including barricading of gates, locking up of offices and preventing workers from carrying out their lawful duties will be met with appropriate response by security operatives.

Protesters took up from the Labour House in Yaba to Lagos Airport, Ikeja, to demonstrate the “inhuman” policy of the government on the recent increase in fuel pump price.

A protest also caused a traffic jam on Ikorodu Road.

The protest in Lagos was led by one of the NLC’s deputy president and the union, affirmed that they are not disrupting movement by motorist and other road users but stated that they are only out to sensitise Nigerians on the hardship being foisted on them by the present government.

Meanwhile, NEWSVERGE authoritatively report that armed Policemen were seen watching the protest from the side line even as other men of the Nigerian Police were waiting for the protesters at the Ojota area of Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State with armoured tank.

The Ayuba Wabba-led faction of the NLC had said that it would go ahead with the strike after peace talks with the government fell through.

The Wabba faction also vowed to defy an order of the National Industrial Court suspending the strike.

The Joe Ajaero-faction of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have withdrawn from the strike.

Meanwhile, some officials of the NLC in Jos, Plateau State were said to have been stoned while trying to mobilize protesters for today’s strike.