Labour Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Iwu

PHOTO: PROTESTERS CALL FOR IWU'S SACK AT THE LAST 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' RALLY IN ABUJA.

ABUJA March 31, (THEWILL) - Labour unions in the country on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly to protest perceived moves to return Professor Maurice Iwu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), threatening a nation wide strike if he is reappointed.

The workers who also took their protest to the INEC headquarters also expressed anger against the Senate for not amending the section of the constitution which vests the power to appoint INEC Chairman on the President.

The labour unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NUC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are also not happy with the Senate for passing an amendment in the constitution legalizing cross carpeting by elected public officers from the party on which platform they were elected to another while retaining their positions.

The body of workers threatened to mobilize all Nigerians to ensure that the INEC Chairman is not reappointed insisting that there would no credible elections in the country if Iwu continues to head the electoral body.

Noting that their position is a reflection of the wishes and aspiration of the people, the unions charged the National Assembly to side with the people and reject Iwu if the Executive eventually appoints him.

Presenting the position of the workers at the National Assembly, NLC President Abdulwahed Omar flanked by TUC President-General Peter Esele and other labour leaders urged the federal legislators to ensure full implementation of the report of the Justice Mohammed Uwais led Electoral Reforms Committee (ERC), to ensure credible elections in the country.

"We want to advise the members of the National Assembly to caution government against appointing him again as Chairman of INEC. Should government go ahead to appoint him, Nigerian workers will down tools in protest of his appointment until the present government reconsiders that," Omar warned.

At the INEC headquarters, the labour unions also insisted that Iwu must not stay in office beyond his tenure, which expires in June this year.