The Presidency has condemned the planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), labelling it an “unwarranted attempt to blackmail the government” over the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed the government’s disappointment over the unions’ choice to punish the entire country of over 200 million people over a matter involving the NLC president.

The strike, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 14, is in protest of the alleged assault on Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State, last week. However, the government has maintained that the incident is a personal matter and should not be used to justify a nationwide strike.

Onanuga stated that the government does not condone any form of violence or assault on any citizen, but added that the Inspector General of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, who was in charge at the time of the incident, has been transferred out of the state.

“Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interests,” Onanuga noted.

He added that the national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interests of any labour leader, stating that “flagrant disobedience to court order” and “lack of respect for the judiciary” should not be what organised labour would champion.

According to the presidential aide, the labour movement has always been a champion of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary, noting that it is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court orders.

Onanuga, however, reiterates that the strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible.

“What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable.” he added.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had recently advised the unions not to strike, urging them to obey the existing court order prohibiting them from embarking on the planned industrial action.