Kaduna: PDP Berates El-Rufai, Demands for Workers’ Reinstatement |The Source

By Uche Mbah

We Will Go On Strike Over Kaduna – NUPENG

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to as a matter of urgency, unconditionally recall sacked workers of the Kaduna Public service, calling their sack worrisome.

The request by the PDP comes on the heels of the threat by Oil Workers under NUPENG to go on strike Nationwide, and thus, ground the Country over the Kaduna NLC crisis.

If  NUPENG carries out its threat, the effect on the economy which is already weak will worsen.

Since 2016, El Rufai has sacked not less than 70,000 workers. His State has, also been  under attack by kidnappers and bandits, and the lives of the kidnapped students of Greenfield University hang in the balance over his hard stand.

In a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said that it is worrisome that the State Government dismissed the Workers “without recourse to laid down due disengagement proccess and benefits as prescribed by extant labor laws.”

During a warning strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress, thugs were unleashed on the demonstrators, and the NLC leader, Ayuba Nwaba, was declared wanted by the Governor. He later announced the sack of nurses in the State and Civil Servants below management level. This group participated in the strike.

The Governor, also, also sacked the Kano State University Lecturers.

The Governor also called the  NLC Executive members, Bandits, and said they plan to destroy the economy of the State.

But, shocked, the release said “The PDP further upbraids Governor el-Rufai for overstepping the law in declaring the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba wanted as well as ordering the sack of health workers and lecturers for joining in peaceful solidarity procession with the sacked workers.

:Our party insists that the right of citizens to peaceful protest is fully guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and charges Governor el-Rufai to douse the tensed situation by coming down from his high horse, rescind his position and listen to the people.

“Governor el-Rufai must understand that we are in a democratic Nation, governed by law; where sovereignty belongs to the people, and not a dictatorial regime as being witnessed in the attitude of the Kaduna state government towards workers.

“It is even more worrisome that some of those involved in this anti-people disposition are seen as aspiring to hold the position of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

“Our party insists that the workers in Kaduna are citizens of Nigeria and we demand that their wellbeing and rights under the law must be respected.

“Moreover, the unleashing of thugs to attack the Kaduna workers during their peaceful protest now leaves no one in doubt regarding the connection between APC leaders and the thugs that attacked our youths in the #EndSARS protests as well as the thugs unbridled to attack innocent Nigerians during the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

“Furthermore, the silence by the APC, as a party, to the situation in Kaduna, betrays its support for the suppressive measures of the Kaduna State Government as well as the unleashing of thugs to attack the workers.

“Our party, however, urges the NLC and the workers to remain calm and law abiding in the pursuit of their demands despite the provocation by the Kaduna state government, while efforts are being made to find solution to the matter”, it concluded.

Many concerned Nigerians and institutions, including the APC Governors Forum, have asked the Governor to sue for peace and get down to a round table with the striking Workers.

The Presidency has, also,  reportedly waded into  the crisis.

But, sounding tough, Wabba has dared the Governor to arrest him, triggering fears of a possible Nationwide strike by the NLC.