Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has sparked controversy with his remarks directed at the striking Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Onanuga suggested that the labour unions should be thankful they are operating under a civilian regime, implying that their actions would have been met with harsher consequences under a military government.
The comments came in response to reports that the labour unions had enforced a complete shutdown of Nigeria’s national power grid as part of their ongoing nationwide strike. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed the grid shutdown, attributing it to the actions of the striking unions.
During an interview with TVC News on Monday, Onanuga stated, and quote “Labour should be thankful to God that we are not in a military regime.
We are in a civilian regime that allows for freedom of expression.” He accused the labour leaders of overstepping their boundaries by shutting down the national grid, an act he deemed “extreme” at a time when the country is grappling with power shortages.
Onanuga’s remarks drew swift condemnation from Nigerians, who criticized the aide for implying that the government would have resorted to heavy-handed tactics under a military regime. Opposition figures and political analysts also weighed in, with some questioning the appropriateness of such comments and their potential to escalate tensions between the government and labour groups.
However, Onanuga defended his position, asserting that the labour unions’ demands are “unrealistic” and that their actions, such as shutting down airports, are unacceptable. He urged the unions to view themselves as partners with the government rather than adversaries and called for a more responsible approach to their protests.
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