RTEAN, NURTW storm Gov Sanwo-Olu’s office with protest letter over ban

By allcitynews.ng

Leadership and members of the two organised labour: Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, {RTEAN} and National Union of Road Transport Workers {NURTW}, on Wednesday May 31, 2023 stormed office of Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu with protest letter over ban.

Just as the unions, who got solidarity  from Trade Union Congress {TUC} and Nigeria Labour Congress {NLC} declared that the protest march was just an introductory one meant to inform the Governor of their displeasure over the ban placed on the two unions and their activities in Lagos State.

Claiming that they are ready for more actions if and when their request is not granted, they reiterated their dismay over why and how a matter that is
under exclusive legislative list should be treated against the the meaning by the Lagos State Government.

The NLC spokesperson in this protest, Comrade Bello Ismail noted that constitutional right which allows Nigerians to belong to association of their choice has been violated by the action taken by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

“We are here to submit our letter of demands to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“We want to assume that the Lagos State Governor is a gentleman. He got the votes of Nigerian workers for his second term in office, so, he must and should attend to our demand of freedom of association.”

Bello stressed that RTEAN and NURTW have the rights to operate in accordance with the International Labour Organisation {ILO} Convention No. 87 which guarantees the right to freely associate, and they have right to operate within Lagos State.

Moreover Bello stated that the action of Mr Governor hitherto is against subsisting court judgement which advised the LASG to respect the rights of the unions.

“Since Trade unions are on the Exclusive Legislative List, then Lagos State, do not have powers over trade unions not to talk of proscribing them.”

On his part, TUC’s spokesman, Comrade Toro Nuhu said that the action by Lagos State Governor was disobedience of court orders and abridgement of fundamental human rights as regards the RTEAN, and the NURTW would not be allowed.

On his own, PENGASSAN Secretary General, Comrade Okugbawa, Lagos State Governor is our chief servant, votes by Nigerian workers in Lagos State brought him to this seat. The rights to unionism belongs to those Nigerians, proscription of union activities by him is going outside the law.”

Among the protesters that marched to the office of Mr Governor were: RTEAN Executive National President Comrade {Dr} Musa Mohammed {Maitakobi 1}, the Deputy National President, Administration, Amb. Muhammad Abubakar Bishara, National Secretary General, Comrade Yusuf Adeniyi, Secretary General of Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria {PENGASSAN} Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, the President of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Comrade Jimoh Oyibo, Chairman, TUC Lagos Council, Comrade Gbenga Ekundayo, among others.

The protesters carried many placards with inscriptions like “TUC\NLC stronger together,” “When Lagos State disobeys court orders, it is executive lawlessness,” “President Tinubu, call Sanwo-Olu to order,” amongst others.

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