The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sharply criticized the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, for labeling Monday’s nationwide strike as “treasonable felony and economic sabotage.”
In a statement issued by Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, the union rebuffed Akume’s accusations, arguing that his remarks reveal his true character. The NLC highlighted that real economic saboteurs are those involved in corrupt activities, such as looting public funds, diverting resources meant for essential services, manipulating foreign exchange, inflating budgets, and misappropriating funds under the guise of subsidies.
“The NLC is profoundly disappointed and strongly condemns the SGF’s recent comments,” the statement read. “Characterizing our legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action as ‘treasonable felony’ and ‘economic sabotage’ is deeply troubling and undermines the spirit of constructive dialogue needed to resolve ongoing issues.”
The NLC, alongside the Trade Union Congress (TUC), demands a new national minimum wage reflective of current living costs, a rollback of the electricity tariff increase to ₦65/kWh, and the elimination of discriminatory electricity consumer classifications.
“These demands are rooted in the pursuit of economic justice and fairness for all Nigerian workers and citizens,” the NLC emphasized. The union asserted that the SGF is well aware of the true economic saboteurs and their detrimental actions.
