“It Could Stun the Economy,” Bala Mohammed Asks Labour to Call Off Strike

The planned strike by workers has been urged to be called off by Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, who claims that the action will damage the country’s economy.

His remarks came one day after the administration was unable to agree with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on a new minimum wage, leading to the declaration of an indefinite strike starting on Monday.

Governor Mohammed urged labour to rethink its action shortly after his Saturday visit to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki, and members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC).

He conveyed serious worry about the strike’s negative consequences on Nigerians’ economy and cautioned that the nation would experience extreme hardship.

“Making ensuring that workers have the best welfare in terms of pay and benefits has always excited me. Nevertheless, it must be reasonably priced, something that all local and sub-national governments can afford. Undoubtedly, the governor said, the Federal Government will negotiate.

There will be governors of some states who are unable to pay. Some states are finding it difficult to make ends meet even with the N30,000 minimum wage in place. Labour leaders have real power, I know that. The strike has the ability to seriously harm the economy and worsen the misery of workers and all of us, hence they should give this matter some thought. We therefore urge the creation of a central location where we may determine our affordability.

The state cannot function without local government, he stated when discussing the violation of local council authority.

Among other PDP leaders accompanying Otti visited his birthplace of Isiala-Ngwa Local Government Area were acting PDP National Chairperson Umar Damagum and former Deputy Senate leader Abdul Ningi.