Gov. El-Rufai cannot declare me wanted – NLC President

He noted that under the labour law, miscellaneous act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, governor El-Rufai does not have the powers to declare him wanted.

Addressing workers, pensioners, students, women and others in a Kaduna rally on Wednesday at the ongoing 5-day warning strike organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress against the sacking of workers by governor Nasir El-Rufai, Ayuba said if people like governor Nasir El-Rufai were given the power to have state police, they would do worst in the country.

Comrade Ayuba Wabba observed that among the governors, there are good ones among them that would ensure proper utilisation of the activities of the state police in their respective states.

He noted that in all that is happening in Kaduna State, the NLC and its affiliates have the capacity to carry out the protest and to bring down all the economic sector of the country, saying, “We deploy workers power when it becomes necessary and obvious to do so. We deployed workers power in Kaduna as a matter of last resort.”

He explained that governor Nasir El-Rufai has nothing to show, stressing that if not, they would have gone into dialogue with him and that is why their action is 100 per cent successful.

The NLC President expressed dismay that the government of Kaduna is only known to be preaching propaganda, pointing out that the era of propaganda is over while the era of speaking the truth and carrying people along has arrived

He enjoined the Nigerian workers to open a black book to record the incident of Tuesday, 18th May 2021 and the name of the perpetrator, saying that it is important to record such an incident.

He lamented that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat because of people like governor Nasir El-Rufai, adding that with people like El-Rufai, insecurity would be on the increase.

He said what is happening in Kaduna State in terms of insecurity and other challenges is a testimony of the type of leadership the people in the state are going through by throwing workers away from their jobs and others.

Wabba explained that he represents 163 countries under the auspices of the International Trade Confederation and 207 million workers under them.

He said information of what is happening in Kaduna, has sent a message to the entire world, saying that wherever Nasir El-Rufai goes today in the countries under the International Trade Confederation, he would see what will happen to him.

He expressed dismay that as early as 5am, 20 trucks carrying thugs came to Kaduna, saying the security agencies have apprehended about 20 thugs.

He demanded that the thugs be prosecuted and tried publicly and their sponsors exposed.

He assured that there was nothing to hide as the thugs were carrying guns, machetes, knives, sticks and other dangerous weapons to cause mayhem.

The NLC President observed that throughout the protest, workers were careful not to destroy any item but lamented that the government has hired people to drop charges that transformers and other valuable items have been stolen during the protests.

He lamented that the root cause of Nigeria’s problems, including unemployment, economic exploitation and banditry introduced by the political elites must be addressed.

The NLC President said, “We will stand very resolute if it means reactivating the decision of the National Executive Council to close the economy which was what we agreed, it will be reactivated and all of us will be informed.”

He saluted the spirit of the Nigerian workers, pensioners, women, students and other stakeholders that have stood firm on the ongoing warning strike in Kaduna, assuring that as they are united, they will overcome any challenge.

He alleged that some women were given money to protest against the ongoing warning strike, saying that they (labour) can not be discouraged because they are carrying out a noble task.