Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore, has advised labor leaders to remain courageous and undaunted in their resolve to secure a living wage for Nigerian workers.
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections also advised the leaders, who are currently negotiating with the government, not to be intimidated by the soldiers reportedly surrounding the venue of their meeting with the government at the premises of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The Nigerian Labour Congress had alerted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that “soldiers are presently surrounding the venue of the meeting between labor and government at the premises of the SGF.”
Reacting to the development, Sowore, who has declared total support for the organized labor strike to demand a living wage for Nigerian workers, took to his X handle to remind the labor leaders that it would be a letdown if they let this discourage them from carrying out their solemn duties in the fight for a just wage for Nigerian workers.
He wrote: “Please stay firm and undaunted; this is one of their worn-out intimidation tactics. It would be a letdown if you let this discourage you from carrying out your finite duties in the fight for a just wage for Nigerian workers. #RevolutionNow”
The Nigerian Army later clarified that the soldiers were escorts of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and not deployed to interrupt the meeting.
Economic and socio-cultural activities were paralyzed across the country as organized labor began an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has shut down the national grid, plunging the entire country into darkness.
Federal and state secretariats in many states and the federal capital territory have also been shut down. Aviation and judicial workers have also downed tools in total compliance with the strike declared over the inability of the government to pay workers a living wage.