Lagos State Government has described as a “breach of the rule of law” the protest planned for today by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The congress is complaining over the September 2022 suspension of the activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
In its place, the state government constituted a 35-member caretaker committee headed by Hon. Sulaiman Adeshina Raji with Bamgbose Oluseyi as Deputy Chairman.
Last Friday, TUC vowed to ground economic activities in Lagos State as part of its protest against the ban on the operations of its affiliate union, RTEAN by the state government. It also directed its members to mobilise for a one-day protest on Monday in preparation for the withdrawal of service.
In the dispute between the Lagos State Government and the state chapter of RTEAN, the National Industrial Court (NIC) ruled in the latter’s favour. But the state government has appealed the ruling.
“Therefore, the protest will be in breach of the rule of law, which expects both parties to maintain status quo, pending determination of the application for stay of execution and appeal”, the state government said in a statement on Sunday.
It said that there is no need for the protest as it 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”.
