The Federal Government has strongly denied allegations of human rights abuses made by Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo in the UK. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement rejecting these claims, emphasizing that Nigeria operates under the rule of law, similar to the UK and the US.
The controversy arose after Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero was barred from traveling abroad due to his refusal to cooperate with law enforcement on an ongoing investigation. Onanuga stressed that no one, including Ajaero, is above the law.
Onanuga also addressed the long-standing tension between the government and labor unions, particularly regarding the sale of the Port-Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. He noted that labor unions, including the NLC and TUC, opposed the privatization of these refineries in 2007, leading to 17 years of stagnation in the sector. Despite labor’s opposition, Aliko Dangote, who was part of the Bluestar Consortium initially set to acquire the refineries, later built the world’s largest single-train refinery.
Onanuga underscored the irony that the same unions now praise Dangote’s achievements while lamenting the state of Nigeria’s government-owned refineries. He assured that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s economic interests, despite the challenges posed by labor opposition.
The statement concluded by reiterating the government’s dedication to transparency, civil liberties, and economic progress, urging labor leaders to cooperate with legal processes and contribute to national development.
