NLC Backs Judicial Workers’ Strike, Slams Governors

The Nigeria Labour Congress has drummed support for the the ongoing strike by judiciary workers in the 36 states of the federation, blaming the state Governors for failing to obey a Court Order directing that funds meant for all State judiciary as allocations from the Federation/Consolidated Revenue Fund should be paid directly to heads of the State courts.

The NLC in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar said it will take all necessary steps to ensure the success of the strike which started on July 11, 2014, after failed interventions to get all 36 Governors to obey the Court Order.

“The NLC is dismayed by the attitude of all the 36 state governors who have engendered a paralysing strike in the country’s judiciary as a result of their refusal to obey an order of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice A.F.A Ademola in Abuja,” reads the statement.

“The court had granted an order in January 2014 directing that funds meant for all State judiciary as allocations from the Federation/Consolidated Revenue Fund should be paid directly to heads of the state courts; the court also declared as unconstitutional, null and void piece-meal payments/allocations of funds through the Ministries of Finance in the states to the state judiciary at the pleasure of state governors.”

“The governors have shown their collective disdain for democratic processes and are therefore obvious promoters of impunity and Nigerians should consider them part of the anti=democratic elements who constitute danger to democracy in Nigeria.”