Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has vowed that he would not be cowed by Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun from leading workers of the state out on protest on Tuesday.
Wabba who spoke to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital condemned the Governor for issuing a statement warning them (workers) to shelve their plans else they would be disgraced.
Reacting to the Governor’s statement, the labour boss said no amount of threat would make them shiver “And besides nobody has a monopoly of threat”
He hinted that, they had informed all the relevant security agencies, stating “If anything untoward happens to any of the workers, the Governor should be held responsible”.
Among the workers’ allegations against Amosun’s government, according to Wabba are: “Dismissal of the State’s NLC Chairman, Comrade Akeem Ambali
“Bail Out funds by the Federal Government and Paris Funds Refund which was meant for the payment of backlog of unpaid deductions such as Cooperative Deductions , shilling funds ,Ileya and Xmas savings of Ogun State workers running into billions of Naira
“Refusal of Governor Ibikunle Amosun led administration to pay salaries and allowances of TASCE Omu Workers and the illegal Proscription of Trade Unions in TASCE Omu
“Fraudulent diversion of Ogun State Workers Contributory Pension Deductions running into 105 months been the highest in Nigeria
“Reduction of Retirees Gratuity against Pension Laws/ Unpaid Gratuities to Public Servants in Ogun State
“Threats to life of Labour Leaders, suspension and dismissal of Labour Leaders without following due process in other to cow and cripple Labour Unions to enable him continue this Anti Labour policies cannot be seen by any reasonable mind as just nor a Godly or tagged political move by Labour movement against the government.”
Wabba said it was unfair for anyone to allege that the protest is politically motivated, disclosing that series of letters he had written to the government and personal visits to the Governor all in an attempt to solve the issues did not yield any positive result.
According to him, their action is being backed by the workers National Delegates conference, the highest organisation of the Union.
Accusing Amosun of acting with impunity, Wabba quarried ” Where else in the world will a government decide not to pay the required gratuity due to a worker but pay whatever amount the wants “.
The labour boss expressed disappointment about Amosun’s statement that he could not guarantee the safety of any worker who participate in the protest, describing the statement as irresponsible.
“Ogun State indigenes does not want to be tagged as citizens of State notorious of disparaging, insulting Elders , National and Global Leaders but mature , civilized and intelligently led people
“We wish to notify all Security Agencies to be more vigilant and provide security covers to all Labour Leaders to prevent their Assassination before, during and after the Mother of All Protest coming up next week Tuesday
“Finally Ogun State NLC wishes to state that since Governor Amosun was already aware of the postponement of the Peaceful Rally to Tuesday 5th March his *Macho man interview* today on some radio station is unnecessary.”