The gates into the National Assembly Complex in Abuja have been shut down by parliamentary workers who have joined the ongoing protests by the labour unions.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had announced a nationwide indefinite strike starting Tuesday despite a court order restraining the unions from doing so.
The unions last week issued the nationwide strike notice the brutal assault on the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, capital of Imo State on November 1 2023.
Our Correspondent gathered that as of 12:23pm on Tuesday, all the gates into the National Assembly complex were locked.
Many workers were seen stranded at the entrance of the complex, even as plenary was ongoing despite the lockdown.
Similarly in Edo State, members of the Organised Labour shutdown banks, Courts, Schools and Government Offices
A visit to these places, saw members of the organised labour in the state, monitoring compliance. As early as 8am, the entrance and exit gates of the High Courts were locked with lawyers and judicial workers seen in clusters discussing the strike action by labour.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) Barrister Afolabi Olayiwola, who couldn’t access the courts premises said the strike embarked upon by members of the organised is a sign of failed system.
He expressed shock that the judiciary knowing very well that there was a court order to stop it still embark on the strike and called for a mutual resolution of the all the issues.
“Ordinarily, the strike oath not to have been because there is a court order and if judiciary staff cannot obey a court order it shows it is a failed system and if it escalates it becomes a problem. If other sector goes on strike the judiciary arm oath not to have embark on it and they are aware of the court and that where am worried”
On the attack on the NLC President in Owerri, “to me, an injury to one is an injury to others. Since there is a court order the judiciary arm oath to have respect that order”
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU , AAU, Ekpoma, branch has directed all the affiliate members of labour unions to comply with the directives of the organised labour
The compliance directives signed by the ASUU, AAU Ekpoma Chairperson, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele reads, “For the avoidance of doubt, all members of ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma Chapter should participate in the strike fully by withdrawing their statutory services to the University and staying away from the University Campus or workplace.