By: Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq.
It has become news that the Nigerian Labour Congress-herein after referred to as the NLC- has resolved to embark on nationwide industrial strike action on the 7th day of June 2023, over the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the hike in the fuel fee per litre. Considering the current circumstances of the Nigerian masses, the purported decision and/or resolution by the NLC in my humble view, if not carefully reviewed, is likely to be an insinuation of double jeopardy for the Nigerian masses. Hence, this paper humbly appeals to both the NLC and the Federal Government of Nigeria for further dialogue on finding a middle course that would for the masses and the masses interest in manifesting social justice, hence, this paper.
It is no doubt that the removal of the subsidy on fuel in Nigeria by the Nigerian Government on the 29th of May, 2023, has both positive and negative implications and from the available circumstances, a number of the masses have not been able to find this decision of the subsidy removal as funny as the Federal Government might consider it to be. The high increase in fuel consumption has had untold hardship on the masses. For instance: transportation fare has increased by over 200% increase (and in some States of the Federation, the situation is worst); the cost of commodities in the markets are now enjoying growth too; among other instances. In all these instances, the only victim is ‘the masses’! It is the masses that board vehicles and would be affected by the increase in the increase in transport fare due to the increase in the fuel price; by the hike in the prices of commodities, among others.
Also, just of recent, as recent as March, this year (i.e. the year 2023), the Nigerian masses had come to terms with the Federal Government’s policy on the new naira redesign notes issue that many Nigerian masses had died, while some have continued to experience devastating welfare conditions and businesses have been seriously affected negatively, among other negative implications (I inclusive was a victim in all these negative impacts of this recent naira policy). Therefore, it is my humble view that in all these sufferings and or hardships that the majority of the Nigerian masses are experiencing, to declare an industrial strike might be an insinuation of double jeopardy in the lives of the majority of the Nigerian masses.
Also, while this strike action continues, the prices of commodities would still be on the high side, while many workers that could have benefitted or got some advantages for sustenance, would be restricted from these benefits. Rather than achieving a positive result, the strike action would rather put the majority of the masses who are in both the public and the private sectors in serious jeopardy. One, the fuel hike and the hike in the goods and services, then, second, the non-availability or suspension of opportunities to get some few financial benefits as a result of the strike action declared by the NLC.
Therefore, having regard to the above instances, I humbly appeal to both the NLC and the Federal Government of Nigeria to review their respective decisions in this regard and continue to dialogue (though with the urgency that the situation requires) for a more just decided to reduce the impacts of the situation on the majority of the masses and for social justice to prevail.
Dialogue in my humble view, could yield much more results in this circumstance, rather than industrial action. I also humbly appeal to His Excellency, the President of the Federation- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR- to intervene in the situation to ensure that Federal Government’s decisions and or policies are people and or masses-oriented. This would enable a good perspective of the people about the administration and create a peaceful and cordial relationship between the masses (the governed or the ruled) and the government (the governing and or the ruler).
Finally, I humbly pray (just as I appeal by this paper) that having regard to the appeal extended by this paper, wise counsel would guide both parties in discord in ensuring that the Nigerian masses have an enabling environment to peacefully enjoy their security of lives and property and the welfare as mandated by section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Email: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com
