As the Ayuba Wabba led Nigeria Labour Congress strike intensified on Tuesday, Senator Shehu Sani has told the State government not to declare the NLC President wanted, saying its a legitimate action.
The strike action took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when thugs believed to be State sponsored invaded the venue that caused pandemonium of a sort.
Following the situation, Kaduna State has threatened to arrest the NLC leader by declaring him wanted which the former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district said, strike action in Nigeria is constitutional.
Tuesday’s action by workers was the second day of the one week warning which the workers are demanding for the reinstatement of those earlier sacked among other welfare packages which they were denied by the El-Rufai administration.
While condemning thugs invasion, he insisted that workers’ demand should be met, adding invading the venue wasn’t anything close to solving the problem.
In a statement which he made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district reminded the government of how the then All Progressives Congress as an opposition was embarking on incessant protest to win solidarity of Nigerians.
Sani maintained: “The declaration of the NLC President wanted by the Kaduna State Government is needless. Strikes and protests are constitutional and fundamental rights of the Nigerian Workers.
“The use of thugs to disrupt the workers peaceful protest in Kaduna today stands unreservedly condemned.Its immoral and unconscionable to use thugs against trade union leaders.
“The ruling party has enjoyed the freedom and rights to protest when they were an opposition,they should be tolerant of dissent and criticism.
“Consistent and systemic use of violence against peaceful protests and criticism contributes to the rise of armed insurrection in the country.
“Since the NLC action is a warning strike,there is window for dialogue to resolve the issue of the mass sacking of the kaduna workers.
“A strong and proactive labour union is needed to protect and safeguard democracy”, he concluded.
