Amosun Warns NLC Against Politicking In Ogun With Planned Protest
*Your Threats Empty -NLC
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday warned the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stay off politics in Ogun or face the consequences of their planned protest action.
Amosun, who featured on a popular live radio programme monitored in Abeokuta, specifically warned the National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba not to come to the state to lead workers’ protest against his administration.
Amosun, who accused Wabba of coming to play politics in the state with the proposed protest, advised him to go and play the politics in his state, stressing that all members of the state workforce are happy with his administration since their salaries and entitlements are paid as and when due.
It will be recalled that the Ayuba Wabba led national leadership of NLC had given a notice to the state government over its decision to embark on protest on March 5th, 2019 over the poor workers’ welfare in Ogun.
NLC in the letter had informed the Ogun government of its intention to press home, the workers’ demand for the payment of all outstanding salaries and entitlements, as well as reinstatement of sacked labour leaders.
But reacting to Amosun’s warning, NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Akeem Ambali described it as a desperate move by a government, “whose lies and propaganda had been exposed”.
Ambali, who reacted through a press statement said, “the sudden vituperations by Governor Amosun betrayed his inability to handle industrial labour relations maturely “in line with Global Practices”.
“Labour wish to state that the empty threats and denial of evident diversion of bailout funds by the federal government Paris funds Refund which was meant for payment of backlog of unpaid deductions like Cooperative , shilling fund, ileya and Christmas savings of Ogun Workers running into billions of Naira.
“Refusal to pay salary and allowances of TASCE Omu Workers and Proscription illegally of Trade Unions in Omu. Fraudulent diversion of Ogun Workers Contributory Pension Deductions running into 105 months the highest in Nigeria. Reduction of Retirees Gratuity against Pension Laws, Unpaid Gratuities to Public Servants in Ogun State.
“Threats to life of Labour Leaders, suspension and dismissal of Labour Leaders without following due process in other to cow and crippled Labour Unions to enable him continue this anti -Labour policies cannot be seen by any reasonably mind as just nor a godly or tagged political move by Labour against Government”.
“Labour therefore wish to counsel Ogun State government that instead of resorting to blackmail , intimidation and brigandary to oppress workers, it will be more honourable to adopt a mature approach of dialogue with Labour before Tuesday 5th March to resolve these issues as no man has a monopoly of power and wisdom most especially when this immunity covered position will expire within three months”.
“Ogun State indigenes does not want to be tagged as citizens of State notorious of disparaging, insulting elders , national and global leaders but mature , civilized and intelligently led people.”
The State labour leader notify all security agencies to be more vigilant and provide security covers to all labour leaders to prevent their assassination before, during and after the ‘mother of all protest’ coming up next week Tuesday
He reiterated that the despite the threat by the state government, the protest will go as planned on Tuesday and call on all courageous Ogun State workers, retirees, veterans and labour leaders to come out en mass to join all labour leaders to condemn and force Ogun State government to change this anti -labour policies and programs.
