It came as a surprise when the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC announced the suspension of the strike which was instituted to protest the recent hike in the price of petrol and electricity tariff. This was announced by the President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, in Abuja after the emergency meeting of National Executive Council of the Congress, NEC, which was convened to review the efficacy of the strike.
The NLC, declared an definite strike on Wednesday 18th May following the Federal government refusal to revert to the old petrol pump price of N86.50 per litre and also address the hike in the electricity tariff by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.
According to the communique endorsed and signed by the Congress' General Secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson which was released said that the congress have suspended the strike to resume dialogue and negotiation with the federal government on the hike in petrol pump price and increased electricity tariff.
Meanwhile, the President, stated that Congress declared the strike for the interest of the country and its citizens' welfare. And that the Congress would in its capacity resist any form of intimidation against the poor and weak. He also maintained that NLC is the only pan-Nigeria organisation that is yet to be influenced by region, religion and primordial unpatroitism it will continue to see that any form legislation, programmes or policies against the interest of Nigerians do not stand or implemented.
During the Congress's NEC meeting the body were resolved that the strike was the best option the union would have taken and despite the fact that the strike has being called of to resume dialogue that it was still a succesful action not minding the fact that most of the NLC influential affiliate bodies like the Petroluem and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN, and the National Union of Petroluem workers, NUPENG, boycotted the strike action.
The NLC, president Mr. Ayuba Wabba appreciated the effort of some well-meaning Nigerians like Bola Tinubu the Leader of the All Progressive Congress who visited the union Secretariat in Abuja appealing to them to suspend the strike, and as well the leadership of the National who also appealed for a stop on the strike action.
The President also promised that the congress would continue to dialogue with the government using every available recognized and established international principles of representation to press home its demands.
He also expressed his gratitude to all those who participated actively in the strike action not withstanding the challenges it posed.
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