NLC takes protest to National Assembly

The Nigerian Labour Congress on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, moved its protest to the National Assembly, Abuja.

Before the Labour Union arrived at the Legislative Houses, security had been beefed up with fierce-looking security agents spread all over the complex.

The human and vehicular traffic was massive with motorists finding it difficult to enter the complex.

The Senate proceedings which already started at about 11.00 with the opening prayer by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan went into a closed-door session, a few minutes after the NLC arrived at the complex.

Wednesday’s protest was led by the National President, Mr Ayuba Wabba.

Also, the students and their leadership are part of Wednesday’s protest. Other bodies who are present include, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, and the leadership of the National Youth Council.

Though the leadership of the National Assembly was yet to address protesters at the time of filing this report, it is recalled that, the NLC which is identifying with ASUU and is, “demanding for replacement of the inconsistent IPPIS with U3PA payment platform; respect/honour collective bargaining agreement that was freely and mutually reached with ASUU”, among others.

Meanwhile, Mr Ben Ukpepi, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River Council, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, had disclosed that the union would embark on a total strike if the Federal Government failed to resolve the lingering issues with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Dr. John Edor, Chairman of ASUU, University of Calabar Chapter, said it was inexplicable that the entire tertiary education system was shut down from Feb. 14 till July 26 and the government had done nothing.

Edor said the last industrial action they held was in 2020 where a memorandum was signed in December and a timeline for specific actions was agreed but the Federal Government rather observed the agreements in breach and default.

According to him, they have several agreements and memoranda that have not been implemented, so, this time is a time of implementation, the Federal Government must implement first before we return to the classrooms.