The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said that the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other groups that shut down the national grid should be thankful that Nigeria is not under a military regime.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria announced the complete shutdown of Nigeria’s power grid by labour unions as the strike by the NLC and TUC began.
NLC and TUC initiated a nationwide industrial action on Monday to protest against the Federal Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage.
In a statement released on Monday morning by TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, the transmission company announced the deliberate shutdown of the national power grid by the workers.
Reacting to this during an interview with TVC News on Monday, Onanuga explained that the nation is in a civilian regime that allows for freedom of expression.
He mentioned that the labour leaders exceeded their authority, advising the unionists to exercise greater responsibility in their requests.
“Labour should view itself as a partner with the Federal Government, not as an adversary to the Federal Government,” he stated.
He continued, “Labour should be thankful to God that we are not in a military regime. We are in a civilian regime that allows for freedom of expression.
“I think that labour overstepped their bounds by shutting down the national grid. At a time when we are complaining about the lack of power, I think that act is extreme. You’re not supposed to shut down the airports on everyone else. Joining the strike should be voluntary.
” I will appeal to labour to be more responsible in their reaction. They cannot be asking for what they are asking for. It is unrealistic.”
(Punch)
