The
representative of Kaduna Central at the Nigerian Senate, Shehu Sani, has
slammed President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration for attempting to
muzzle the country’s labour union protesting the increment in the price of
premium motor spirit.
The
senator, in a statement published by Premium Times, wondered why the government
now sees those who do not support some of its policies as opposition. The
government had on Tuesday secured an injunction against a mass action to be
spearheaded by the NLC and TUC, but Sani, on Wednesday, reminded the government
that it had no power to restrict the groups from protesting against policies
that can affect them.
Concerning
the no-work-no-pay policy initiated by the government to stop civil servants
from supporting the industrial action, Sani said it was simply a campaign of
calumny by the government. Currently in some parts of the country, heavily
armed security men have been stationed to forestall any attempt by the
organized labour to protest and shut down the economy.
According
to Sani: “campaign of calumny and blackmail against the NLC and labour leaders
simply for speaking out and standing up for their traditional constituents must
stop.
“We joined
and applauded the NLC for leading a mass protest against increase in pump
prices of petroleum products in the past.
“It’s
hypocritical to condemn them now for their principled stand on same issue. Our
quests for justice and equity must not depend upon the government or persons in
power but must depend upon the matters of principles at hand.”
Sani warned
the government to desist from trying to stop labour or blackmail its members
for doing what is believed to be just. “The cloud of intimidation and blackmail
against people for expressing their objections must end. We are now in a state
whereby dissent is equated to disloyalty. “We must learn to tolerate views and
positions different from our own no matter how unpopular. If we must all agree
on all issues at all times, democracy couldn’t have been ‘invented’.
“Democracy
guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to free speech and to objection
and this must be respected,” he said adding that those in support and those
against all have same rights to their opinions. He said it had become
imperative for the people to understand that the political class define and
view social justice in the colour of their personal interest. “Those who stood
against increase in price of petroleum products yesterday and stood for it
today have betrayed the very principle which they claimed to represent.
“If for
political convenience we choose to divide or destroy the Labour unions today,
we will be harming the very organ that stands as the guardian of democracy.
“Increase
in pump price of petroleum products does nothing other than add to the
suffering of Nigerians but those in support of it have the constitutional
rights to revere their chains.
“Unjust
policies must not be beclouded by political interests and political
convenience,” he said in a statement urging labour unions to go about their
protests and dialogues peacefully.
Source:
Naij.com
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