Kaduna: NUPENG, electricity workers threaten to shut down Nigeria if Wabba is harmed, as FG wades in

If any harm befalls the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Aliyu Wabba, or any of his other officials, amid threats of arrest by Governor Nasir el Rufai and attacks by thugs, the powerful Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has threatened to shutdown Nigeria, apparently relying on its power to shut down fuel and gas supplies to all parts of the country.

Also, according to Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, electricity workers may be priming to switch off power supply in the country.

NUPENG described the Kaduna state governor as power drunk and arrogant.

The union’s position comes as el Rufai told journalists in Kaduna that the government will not back down as a result of the strike. NLC is on strike to push for the recall of nearly 7,000 workers, and stop the planned sack of thousands of others.

Meanwhile the Federal Government has waded in, calling for a ceasefire from the NLC and the Kaduna government.

In a statement by its National President Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Comrade Afolabi Olawale on Tuesday, NUPENG said, “NUPENG is deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State.

“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

FG WADES INTO NLC/KADUNA FACE-OFF; HOPEFUL ON RESOLUTION OF JUSUN STIKE THURSDAY.

The Federal government has waded into the national strike and picketing in Kaduna State by the two Labour Centres, appealing to el Rufai, Wabba, and President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Qadiri Olaleye to immediately cease fire.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige made the appeal Tuesday in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry , Charles Akpan .

“We are not unaware of what is going on in Kaduna State . It is a labour issue which has snowballed into a national strike and picketing by the two labour centres and affiliate unions .

“We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal the to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion .

“My Ministry is wading into the matter and therefore calls on the two warring parties to give peace a chance .

The Minister also appealed to all workers on essential duties including doctors and nurses not to join the strike.

“importantly, I appeal to workers in critical sectors not to tamper with electrical or water installations so as not to bring more sufferings to the people of Kaduna and the nation at large.

“This is because we have it on good authority, following a complaints by the Minster of Power that workers have threatened to trigger a nation-wide blackout by interfering or switching off the national grid.”