Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Suspension Of Strikes And Mass Protests Against Hike In Fuel Prices By Nigerian Labour Unions- Full Text Of Press Conference
By Abdulwahed I. Omar and Peter Esele
In the past eight days through strikes, mass rallies, shutdown, debates and street protests, Nigerians demonstrated clearly that they cannot be taken for granted and that sovereignty belongs to them.
In the last twenty four hours, the Labour Movement and its allies who had the historic responsibility of coordinating these mass actions have had cause to review the various actions and decided that in order to save lives and in the interest of national survival, these mass actions be suspended.
We note the major successes Nigerians scored in these past days in which they rose courageously as a people to take their destiny in their hands.
First, the Federal Government that chorused continuously that its decision to increase petrol (PMS) price to N141 is irreversible and irreducible, was forced to announce a price reduction to N97. We however state categorically that this new price was a unilateral one by the Government.
Secondly, Government has been made to adopt the policy to drastically reduce the cost of governance.
A third major success Nigerians recorded is to get the Federal Government to decisively move against the massive and crippling corruption in the oil sector. While until now Government has seemed helpless to tackle corruption, the mass action of the people has compelled it to address accountability issues in the Sector. In this wise, President Goodluck Jonathan has told the nation that the forensic audit report on the NNPC will be studied and proven acts of corruption will be sanctioned.
He also promised that accountability issues and current lapses in the oil sector will be speedily addressed including the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
A related success of the mass action by Nigerians is the vow of Government to bring to justice all those who have contributed in one way or another to the economic adversity of the country.
The Labour Movement commend Nigerians for their resolve to change the country for the better and we shall take advantage of the Government’s invitation to further engage on these issues. This is in line with Labour’s resolve that the oil industry is too important to be left in the hands of bureaucrats, and that we have the patriotic duty to ensure that Nigerians get the best from this natural resource.
The least we owe our compatriots who have become martyrs in the patriotic struggle to reassert our sovereignty and ensure good governance is to remain steadfast and unbowed. Labour reiterates its demand that those who perpetuated violence against unarmed protests should be brought to justice.
With the experiences of the past eight days, we are sure that no government or institution will take Nigerians for granted again.
In view of the foregoing, Labour and its allies formally announce the suspension of strikes, mass rallies and protests across the country. We demand the release of all those detained in the course of the strikes, rallies and street protests.
We thank all Nigerians especially market men and women, artisans, youths, students, the Nigeria Bar Association, the Nigeria Medical Association, the National Assembly, Civil Society Organisations faith-based organizations, artistes and Nigerians in Diaspora for their invaluable support and active participation during the strikes, mass rallies and street protests.
Abdulwahed I. Omar Peter Esele
President, NLC President, TUC
Comments
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good one. what about asuu
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 17, 2012 - 01:31.
good one. what about asuu strike pls??is it still on??
good one
Submitted by emmanuel (not verified) on January 17, 2012 - 01:28.
fair enough. but what about asuu strike??is it still on??
Sellouts!
Submitted by Makossa (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 22:14.
We have once again been hoodwinked by usurpers corroborating with inept leadership to shortchange us, as usual. What's new? Pity. Nothing worthwhile comes easy and until we wrest ourselves from our insanely corrupt and incompetent leadership, things will only get worse.
Suspension of Strike, etc
Submitted by Favour (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 18:27.
Kudos 2 u all - NLC, TUC, nd all!!! We've tried our best. Let's leave d rest 2 God, d Author nd Finisher of our faith!
LABOR LEADERS ARE BOUGHT AS USUAL
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 18:22.
I just read what the labor leader said less than a week ago -back to $65 or nothing. Now they have been bought as usual. They should be ashamed of themselves. Somebody should investigate these folks - they are billionaires already. One thing I know, Nigeria will lives - and these people will die in their sins. God Bless Nigeria and its good people.
POOR NIGERIANS
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 17:36.
Poor,very docile people I've never seen!
GOVT SHOW US PLANS, PROJECTS, TIMELINE TO USE MONEY SAVED
Submitted by Fidel Castro (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 17:35.
What the govt has not done is to tell us as well as show us their plans on how to reinvest our saved money. Which projects, time line to impliment them etc. 'That we will ---' is not enough. The govt owe these to the citizens because the money belongs to the Nigerians, they are a mere custodians less they forget this!!!
NLC & TUC a Misguided Struggle
Submitted by Pastor Trueword (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 17:02.
Sahara Reporters & Sowore must be very disappointed on the outcome of "THE NIGERIAN REVOLUTION". Whether you like it or not, Mr Sowore and the NLC were misguided in their support for the ill advised strike against petrol subsidy.The agitation should be about the bare faced robbery perpetrated on the masses by our federal legislature by means of every concievable allowance they pay to themselves,the thieving Governors who collect huge amounts as security votes,the Presidency that budgeted 1 biillion Naira for food.Removal of subsidy makes sound economic sense, the government will always win in this type of arguement.You have unwittingly or may be deliberately aligned your selves with the Cabal sucking the life blood out of Nigerian economy.
fraudsters leading the the fight against fraud.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 16:34.
The question is, at which point did Nlc/Tuc start trusting the very government they swore not to trust again . After sacrificing the lives of innocent souls or collecting egunje? Na wa for this country. kettle leading the fight against pot. Peter Eselu will never change.
Judases
Submitted by Na So (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 16:22.
Is this what we sent you to negociate? We said N65 not N97!
Judases..... You are clearly part of the cabal, enjoying your own share of the inflated subsidy...
Show us where in the budget the bribe they paid you was budgeted for?
Nigeria redefine Demostcrazy:
Submitted by Niyi (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 16:10.
*Democracy is the rule of the cabal by the cabal and for the cabal.
*Democracy is the rule of the elitist by the elitist and for the elitist.
Fellow Nigerians can we all vote right in the next election, am ashamed within myself that Badluck Jonathan is the President cause i think he does not merit the position. These are one of the numerous sins OBJ commit against the pple of Nigeria.
A lot of pple on this blog don't even reside in Nigeria but look at the passion in us for a better Country. Let us vote right n the next election and God will help us choose a good President(President Obama) next time. 2015 Election.
WE MUST CLEAN HOUSE
Submitted by alimi (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 16:08.
Until all these people from the President on down are removed nothing will change in Nigeria. The source of most of our problems is CORRUPTION.I promise you my fellow Nigerians that nothing will change if we don't get rid of the "monster Virus" that has deeply penetrated our society.We are constantly falling for all these "band aid" solutions.
Nigerians, it is high time we
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 16:02.
Nigerians, it is high time we come to terms that this fight is one of each man to himself and God for us all. NLC and TUC were bound to sell us out. Their antecedents speak for them.
So we should start thinking of the way forward. We have listed things that we want this government to start doing ie proper deregulation of the oil sector(not all the water wash promises that this government has been giving us, good governance and accountability etc). And if they fail to set things in place or show any seriousness in keeping their promises within 6months, we shall come out again to the streets WITHOUT THE NLC/TUC.
THE SAME OLD TRICK!
Submitted by ibrahim saad (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:49.
IT IS UP TO NIGERIANS IF THEY ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE WITH N97/LITER PETROL. AS FOR THE PROMISES THE GOVT MADE NONE WILL BE FULFILLED AS USUAL. SINCE SUBSIDY IS STILL IN PLACE DONT EXPECT THE MASS TRANSIT BUSES TO BE DISTRIBUTED LET ALONE THE MANY PROMISES OF HOSPITALS, ROADS, ELECTRICITY ETC. NEXT TIME THEY WANT TO HIKE THE PRICE TO N141 THEY WILL GUN FOR N210 AND THEN NEGOTIATE DOWN TO N141 AND THAT IS IT. NOW THAT THE NAIRA HAS TAKEN A NOSE DIVE IT WONT BE LONG BEFORE THEY PUSH UP THE PRICES AGAIN. NLC HAS BEEN SETTLED AS EXPECTED.
nothing to say to NLC TUC
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:45.
nothing to say to NLC TUC and FG.
But God will judge all of us one day. REMEMBER!!!
Struggle continue!
Submitted by Abubakar (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:42.
Bravo! Exactly brother, struggle continue, victoria asserta! We have seen the level NLC/TUC can drive, the journey should continue up to the destination. Wake up Nigerians!
You rely on fake promises
Submitted by olaitan (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:34.
How can you account for the some of Nigerians that have lost their lives in the cause of this struggle, still our agitation was eventually not achieved. You rely on the fake promises of the corrupt Federal Government. How can the extravagant Government could manage the excessive income from the oil subsidy. the future of Nigerians will tell on all of you GEJ, Omar and Esele.
Shame on u
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:27.
Dos shameless and stupid ppl hu are being decieved by GEJ dat he wil giv dem power wen he finishes r jst wasting dia tym. Hw can any nigerian trust u while u attempted 2 break 9ja. Shame on u, ur ignorant leaders, greedy obis n chiefs. Idiots hu fuck dia mamas!
its really bad
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:25.
i am highly disappointed in this rubbish why did the nlc peeps diss us at this point am so sure that the way we were pushing it they wud ve eventually reduced it to 65 but guess some people turned out to be the judas in nigerians disciples.if kenya dat doesnt have crude oil in their country reduced their fuel price to 111.7 shillings while our country the worlds fifth producing crude oil country is selling it within the country at 97 naira its really bad. and we would have won out this fuel corruption but the fact is that in nigeria we re all nigeria disciples but in our own disciples we do not have only one judas we have judasses and we all know who they are. may God destroy them and their families. Nigerians dont let us give up nlc left us not God we are going to make it. this country is our future.
LABOUR HAS LET US DOWN!
Submitted by babaeko (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:24.
Labour has just sold out. We need to restrategise and carry on the strike without the labour unions.
They have have been bribed as usual. What happended to the N65 or nothing stance?
Typical nigerians!
We are dissapointed by Umar and Esele.
Submitted by Ajeigbe (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:20.
Despite all the struggles,what we expected from NLC and TUC was to maintain 65naira or nothing.When they know that they could not do it ,they would have resigned.Instead of making all the unbearable effort of the masses fruitless.
FAIR ENOUGH
Submitted by Mujtaba (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:18.
NLCs was mandated to at most bring the price to status quo.But we understand is a give-and-take affair. The battle is not over.Let's join hands with the opposition parties to check wasteful Government's excesses. Shame on Nigerdelta ppl who instead of admitting failure are defending inadequacy of their own. Better wake up!
fuel subsidy
Submitted by Bilyaminu (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:09.
NLC have started well but failed alng d way dat nigerians are close 2 getting victory, we are all disapointed in u at dis pnt, those dat lost their lifes in d name of dis protest will neva 4give you.
Good Retreat, NLC/TUC
Submitted by David (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:07.
A good leader knows when to retreat to fight another day. I fully support the NLC/TUC action. We can not always win the battle 100%. But the main points from this last week actions are that no govt can ever take Nigerians for actions again, govt hs been forced to look at corruption in NNPC and subsidy funds, PIB will be pursued aggressively and of course Nigerians are now more aware! The strike has only be suspended but the battle for good governance continues. Well done NLC/TUC!
This is expected!
Submitted by Allison (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:04.
History has just repeated itself. Strugles and campaign by organised labour in d past have always taken the same dimention. It is however comendable that NLC can hang on till this stage. Kudos to them. Its time for the civil society group to take over the strugle. Save Nigeria Group, Occupy Nigeria, Nollywood artist, and activists should continue the strugle until President GEJ reverts petrol pump price to #65. Nigerians should not fear GEJ solders. He will account for any protester killed during peaceful protest. Wake up Nigrians, let the strugle continue, let mass ralies continue without labour, let us force GEJ to be a responsible leader. He can't use his solders to stop boko haram but peaceful protesters.
Ignore NLC, They Don Collect Bribe to Make Life Easier For Them.
Submitted by Kalu Emenike (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 15:03.
What is this rubbish! Lies! Lies! Lies! NLC have stuffed their pockets with bribe. Nigerians, Please ignore NLC because if you follow them, it you who suffer when nobody is ready to demonstrate again.
DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!
Great loss to the masses
Submitted by Kunlay balogun (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 14:57.
The struggle by Nigerian both at home and in diaspora all in vail,the most sadfull was the death of young soul of Nigerian who part take in this historica event.our mission was not attained but the prostest tag "Occupy Nigeria" was an achievement.what's next?
Pay back time!
Submitted by Aboki (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 14:53.
Time is coming when d south east will ask 4 d vote of d south west and north 4 d post president.That's d day they would realise it's good to have joined d masses on d street.2015?no.2023?to south west or old mid west
plan B imminenet
Submitted by Isaac Dike (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 14:51.
We must appreciate the sleepless nights of everyone#OccupyNig,NLC,TUC,NBA etc on dis course and RESTRATEGISE to Engage dis GEJ Govt...we have found loop holes lets use same as EDGE. Insinuating bribe, etc wont help d mind@all. Lets Engage with a plan B. They too have seen the power of d Masses like never b4 in the History of Nig. Let all Nigerians insist on making sure these people are brougth to book. Lets engage EFCC on culprits etc.
munkull yusufu, why ar u
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 16, 2012 - 14:51.
munkull yusufu, why ar u protesting in the first place? Is it not cos ur brother buhari dint get d opportunity 2 continue 2 perperate corruption & injustice as other leaders from the North has. Have u gone thru d list of those mentioned by d Senate as d Cabals of d Oil Industry. They ar mainly from d North & South West. Don't think that after Igbos are killed everyday in d North & after the betrayals from d SW during the civil war that they will not think twice b4 joining in ur loser protests. Imagine all ur failed politicians like buhari & El rufai protesting. Thoughtless and clueless people who shd hide their heads in shame. Losers forever!! Cos some of you can not stand Jonathan -- God bless Him-- a man from South south whom you see as a minority from ruling u that is why all of u little heads, bad wide mouthed and cluless indignant pple are shouting. GEF will rule till God decides otherwise. Read my lips!! IDIOTS!!
