The Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) has called off
its nationwide strike commenced last week to
force President Muhammadu Buhari to revert to
the old price of gasoline. A communique issued after a national Executive Committee of the NLC today commended Nigeria, who participated in the strike last week.

The communique stated that the union
would resume dialogue with the Nigerian
government to explore possibilities of reversing the
fuel price and other palliatives that would ease the
suffering of Nigerians.

THE COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR
CONGRESS ISSUED ON SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016.
An emergency meeting of the National Executive
Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
held today, Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Bolton White
Hotels, Abuja on the on-going protest action against
the increase in pump price of petroleum products
and hike in electricity tariff.

NEC reviewed the protest
action and its impact across the nation, noting the
sacrifices of its members, response of the generality
of Nigerians, government's attitude and the brutality
of the police in some states.

NEC took special notice
of the Ebonyi State Police Command where our
members were intimidated, harassed, arrested and
detained unjustly.
After an exhaustive deliberation,

NEC noted its
protest action was informed by the twin issues of the
unjustified and illegal hike in electricity tariff and
increase in the pump price of petroleum products.

NEC adjudged the protest action to be a success in
spite of both internal and external challenges.

NEC reiterated the correctness of its position on the
twin issues of electricity tariff hike and the
astronomical increase in the pump price of PMS and
the hardship they portend for Nigerian masses.

NEC also acknowledged that the temptation to
compare the strike action with that of 2012 could be
compelling but that the scenario had changed as
both the actors and the terrain were different.

NEC said before it had embarked on the action, it had
anticipated a probable outcome and therefore was
not surprised by government's negative response.

Nonetheless, it felt fulfilled by having the presence of
mind and courage to identify its mission and fulfilling
it, stressing that if a similar situation arises again, it
will still rise and stand with the people.

NEC, therefore, commended those who took part in
the action in one way or the other and reaffirm its
commitment to the struggle.

The action, it reiterated
was taken in the best interest of the poor and the
weak and in drawing government's attention to the
dangers of relying on the importation of petroleum
products as a sustainable strategy for making
available petroleum products.

It expressed the belief
that in the days ahead, time would prove its position
right.

Congress singled out for commendation, its state
councils, affiliates and other patriotic Nigerians who
at very short notice picked up the gauntlet for this
struggle.

Congress commends the leadership of the
National Assembly and All Progressives Congress led
by Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

In consideration of the above, NEC after due
consultation with its constituents resolved to
suspend with immediate effect, the action it
commenced on Wednesday, May 18, 2016.

The action is thus at this moment is suspended.

Congress will resume negotiations with the
government on the twin issues of the hike in
electricity tariff and an increase in the pump price of petroleum products and any other issue that may
arise thereof.

It similarly remains committed to genuine dialogue
within the framework of internationally established
and recognized principles of representation.

The Congress will continue to resist wrong
legislation, policies, and programmes and will
always act in the best interest of Nigerians as it
remains the only pan-Nigerian organisation not
affected by religion, region, creed, partisanship or
primordial sentiments.

The Congress urges the government to play by the
rules of its engagement with its constituent parts,
stakeholders, and non-state actors as proof of its
commitment to deepening our democracy and also
in acknowledgment of the well-worn credo that what goes around, comes around.

The Congress also urges the citizenry to be vigilant at
all times as the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

The Congress commends all Nigerians for their
understating and support.



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