Asiwaju Bola Ahmed, national leader of the All Progressives Congress took the unusual step Friday of intervening in the Nigeria Labour Congress protest by visiting the NLC leaders right in their Labour House in Abuja, to appeal for an end to the strike.
Tinubu, accompanied by some officials of the APC and Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said he came on behalf of his party, the Buhari government to appeal to the labour leaders to end the strike and return to the negotiating table.
In a move designed clearly to massage the ego of the labour leaders, since the strike was largely ignored in many parts of Nigeria, Tinubu urged Labour to employ anger management in resolving the disagreement over the fuel price increase.
Tinubu explained the reason for the fuel price increase and said it was done in the best interest of Nigeria as it would allow investors to come into Nigeria to build refineries.
He contrasted the policy to the step taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, when he set up SURE-P in 2012. The APC leader said what was sure of the SURE-P was corruption.
He said the Buhari administration would not follow the same path. He urged labour leaders to repose trust in the Buhari administration as it is one of integrity and honesty.
“This President is genuine. This decision was the only one left. Buhari has integrity and a character that is reliable”, Tinubu said.
He said that it was important for the NLC to call off the ongoing strike and return to the negotiating table.
“I cannot say I was not a part of what is happening today on your side and I cannot say I was not a part of the decision that created this.
“I can only say I noticed the communication gap; I cannot say that you are enemies of progress or the president of this country.
“What I want to say is for you to get back a little bit, even though we are aware of the division; it is just politics and there is always a conflict resolution system.
“Today, we are here to appeal to you, so that we can bring this country to a progressive path.”
According to him, the ideology of the present administration is about progressive governance that includes the welfare of the people and progress of a nation.
He noted that the progress being made by present administration depended upon the acceptance of the people.
He said the visit was to assure the NLC that they are not the enemy and would never be the enemy of the present government that is progressive.
“Why should we continue with this same problem? why must we continue to do the same thing over and over again, this is an expired ideology and will not inspire new thing?, he asked.
“So, I am here to appeal to you to understand that whatever you are doing no, whatever this government is doing, whatever the President is doing, which involves myself and yourself, is for the good of all.”
He noted that it was through the effort and support of the NLC that the present administration won the election, adding that the present administration wanted to express its success through the change mantra.
“If change is our slogan, we want to keep collaborating and cooperating with making those progressive changes for the benefit of the people.
“We are trying to educate our children not to suffer the same problem that we suffered; we want to correct their future; we want to guarantee their future.
“I want to assure you that we will work for the betterment of this country; I also want to bet with you that this government will work and President Buhari will listen, Tinubu said.
Responding, the NLC President, Mr Ayubu Wabba, said the visit showed that the APC leadership was concerned about the welfare of the citizenry.
Wabba said NLC was open for negotiations on issues that affect the masses.
“The protest is not about fighting government policies but about policy engagement and the approach to it.
“This message will be communicated to our people and we will get back to you after the NLC National Executive Council meeting,” Wabba said.
Also speaking, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun said that government was concerned about the welfare of the people.
“I want to appeal to you that we are not fighting for a different goal but the same goal which is for the good of the people.
“Though the techniques might be different, the purpose is the same; please shelve the strike and let us talk,” Aregbesola said.
In a remark, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, representing Kaduna North, said the president meant well for all the citizens.
“Mr President is worried about this action and has requested and appealed that you should call off this strike for the good of the Nigerian people,” he added. (