Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened a nationwide shutdown over the faceoff between Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Kaduna State government.
In a statement signed by the group’s National President, Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG described El-Rufai’s government as “dictatorial and despotic”.
It would be recalled that Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress on Monday embarked on a five-day warning strike and protests in the state over the sack of over 7,000 government workers.
Read Also: NLC Commence 5-Day Strike Over Sack Of Members With Protest (Videos)
The Kaduna state government has insisted that it does not have the financial wherewithal to pay the relieved workers.
On Tuesday, Kaduna government declared Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, and some labour leaders wanted over the effect of the strike on the economy.
Read Also: Gov El-Rufai Declares NLC President, Ayuba Wabba Wanted, Promises ‘Handsome’ Reward
El-Rufai later likened the protesters in his state to bandits and vowed that their action would not make his government reverse its decision.
Also, labour union leaders accused the state government of actions tantamount to ‘abuse of powers’, including disrupting a peaceful protest with thugs.
Read Also: Armed Thugs Attack NLC Protesters In Kaduna, Wabba Accuses El-Rufai (Video/Photos)
On Tuesday, the state government declared labour union leaders wanted in the state for economic sabotage, saying the industrial action had affected key state infrastructure and services, including health and power.
NUPENG, in its statement, said it was “deeply saddened” with the turn of events in Kaduna, saying the union which is one of the 46 bodies affiliated with NLC, is observing the Kaduna situation closely.
The Union stated that if the attacks on protesters continue, NUPENG would withdraw its services nationwide.
NUPENG stressed;
The Leadership of the Union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing.
Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State.
Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State
NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong.
Read the full statement below;
