NORTHERN YOUTH PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT ON MIS REPRESENTATION

NORTHERN YOUTH PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT (NYPM)

PRESS RELEASE7

7TH JUNE, 2024

ISA TIJANI AND HIS STINKING BAGGAGE!

The Northern Youth Progressive Movement (NYPM) categorically rejects the baseless and defamatory statements circulating on social media, attributed to Isa Tijani, a discredited, sacked, and disgraced former comrade masquerading as a labour veteran. It is crucial to remind the public that Isa Tijani is not a labour veteran; he remains a pariah among labour leaders and trade unions in Nigeria due to his ugly and filthy past. Furthermore, he is a member of the ruling party's Labour committee, where he performs poorly in his role of attempting to spread lies on behalf of the party, against Nigerian workers and the masses instead of advising the party on the best way to govern and not foisting economic hardship and squalor on the lives of Nigerians.

The recent statement issued by Isa Tijani, allegedly representing the so-called Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists' Assembly, is nothing more than a desperate attempt to tarnish the legitimate actions of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). These organizations, on June 3, embarked on a lawful strike in response to the federal government's failure to conclude the national minimum wage negotiations, reverse electricity tariff hikes, and end discriminatory consumer classifications. The strike every Nigerian knows reflects the deep frustration of Nigerian workers facing economic hardships and deteriorating working conditions.

Isa Tijani's accusations that the strike was conducted unfairly and criminally are laughable and unfounded. The organised Labour actions were within the bounds of legally recognized industrial action, aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Nigerian workers. The strike's impact, including the temporary disruption of the National Grid, was a necessary measure to highlight the severity of the government's negligence towards workers' rights and well-being.

We of the NYPM supported the action and had warned the labour leadership of suspending or calling off the strike without reaching agreement with the government. This is because we know that this government cannot be trusted to keep faith with any agreement with the citizenry, but they refused. The likes of Isa Tijani are already on the prowl to work the usual propaganda against workers and masses signifying the intention of the Government not to keep to its promise of paying a fair wage as we had foretold.  

Tijani's claims of treasonable felony, forceful eviction of citizens, and violation of ILO conventions are gross exaggerations and misrepresentations of the facts. These statements are intended to mislead the public and undermine the genuine efforts of the NLC and TUC to advocate for the rights of Nigerian workers. It is important to note that the disruptions caused during the strike were a direct consequence of the government's inaction and refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with labour leaders.

Furthermore, Isa Tijani's assertion that the NLC's leadership is engaging in partisan politics is hypocritical, considering his affiliation with the ruling party's Labour committee. His comments are clearly politically motivated, aimed at discrediting the NLC and diverting attention from the government's failures. The NLC has always prioritized the interests of Nigerian workers above political affiliations, and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant lie as far as we are concerned. We may have been deceived before by Politicians but not anymore. We now know who stands for the people and who doesn’t. NLC and TUC represents the masses and people and we stand with them.

The NYPM stands firmly with the NLC and TUC in their fight for fair wages, affordable electricity tariffs, and equitable treatment of consumers. Isa Tijani's attempt to sow discord and discredit the labour movement will not succeed. We urge all Nigerian workers and citizens to remain steadfast and united in the face of these malicious attacks. The struggle for a better and fairer Nigeria continues, and we will not be deterred by the baseless claims of a discredited individual with a tarnished reputation.

We urge the Government to focus on negotiating a national minimum wage that is fair to workers instead of sponsoring characters like Isa to spread lies. We do not think it will help the government. The electricity tariff hike must be reversed and the classification of consumers into Bands stopped. Those are legitimate demands and there is no propaganda that will wish them away. We are mobilizing our members around the North to join enmass if Organised labour decides to embark on a total shut down of the nation. 

Isa has not learnt to drop his stinking baggage so that the numerous flies that dogs his footsteps can leave him. His stink has made him odious to all reasonable men so, can only be useful to those who wants to muck rack and pollute the atmosphere. We call on organised Labour not to lose focus but concentrate on the protection of the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and masses. We will march with you whenever you are ready but do not call it off until we achieve our objectives.

Northern Youth Progressive Movement calls on the public to dismiss Isa Tijani's statements as the desperate rants of a disgraced former comrade. We reaffirm our support for the NLC and TUC and their ongoing efforts to protect the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and Nigerian masses. The NYPM remains committed to the struggle for a better Nigeria where all of our interests will be protected at all times.

Dr. Musa Kaltungo

Chairman