The Lagos State government has urged the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shelve its protest scheduled for Monday in the State.
Information Nigeria reports that the union announced a one-day protest over the state government’s ban on the operation of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Festus Osifo, the TUC president, said the failure of the Governor to obey the court order that reinstated activities of RTEAN in the state necessitated a protest.
“If there is no solution in sight then there is going to be a total shutdown in Lagos,” he warned.
But in a statement on Sunday, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information and Strategy, said the protest is unnecessary considering that the government has appealed against the judgment and “has a pending application for a stay of execution of the said judgment.”
According to him, the union is only using the planned protest to “arm-twist and intimidate the government.”
READ ALSO: Akwa-Ibom: I’m Being Threatened To Share Money Or Risk Second Term – Gov. Eno
“Therefore, the protest will be in breach of the Rule of Law, which expects both parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the application for a stay of execution and appeal.
“The planned protest is of no need and is meant to arm-twist and intimidate the government, considering all the efforts being made to resolve the matter amicably.
“TUC/RTEAN should embrace dialogue. It is better and safer for our economic and social well-being,” he added.
Recall that in September 2022, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ordered the suspension of the transport association, citing violence in parts of the State as the reason for the suspension.
But in April 2023, a national industrial court in Lagos ordered the reinstatement of the transport association.
Maureen Esowe, the presiding judge, had said the suspension of the union’s activities by the government was illegal and restrained the state from interfering with the operations of the union’s executives.
