Governor Darius Ishaku Bans Protests, Demonstrations By Workers As Labour Union Kicks
Labour unions in Taraba State and Governor Darius Ishaku may
be poised for a showdown over the ban on protests and demonstrations.
The ban was announced by the governor on Saturday.
The Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Illiya Bekyu, made the
announcement in Jalingo on behalf of Ishaku.
But Peter Gambo, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress,
Taraba State chapter, has swiftly responded by describing the governor’s
directive as a mere
threat.
Gambo said workers in the state would not be intimidated by
Ishaku’s statement.
He said because workers have the right to protest, the
governor’s directive would not be obeyed by the union members.
He said: “To avert any form of protest in the state, the
government must endeavour to settle all salary arrears meant for public
servants.
“This is the only way the organised labour can desist from
embarking on peaceful demonstrations.”
Governor Ishaku said any group or individuals that wanted to
protest must seek government’s approval before embarking on such exercise.
The ban comes four days after primary school teachers in the
state protested the non-payment of their salaries, now running into eight
months.
The teachers were joined in the protest by their pupils.
Ishaku said: “I want to state here that individuals or groups
wanting to embark on any form of demonstration in the state without government
approval are warned to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.”
He warned parents and guardians against allowing their
children to take to the streets for protest on behalf of their teachers.
He said: “The state government is particularly warning
parents and some individuals who want to use little children as shield during
demonstrations in pressing for whatever demands to refrain from such act or be
prosecuted,” he noted.
He warned that any attempt by individuals or groups to
undermine the credibility of the government would not be tolerated and anyone
caught in such act would be treated as a saboteur.
theeagleonline
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