Nasarawa crisis: Judiciary workers issue 21-day ultimatum for nationwide strike

Judiciary workers, under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of
Nigeria, have issued a 21-day day ultimatum to the Acting Chief
Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, to call on the Chief
Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Sulaiman Dikko, to resolve the
lingering crisis between their members in the state and the
management of the state’s judiciary.

The crisis started last year with the Nasarawa State chapter of
the union embarking on strike to protest the state judiciary’s
alleged illegal deductions from their salaries.

It degenerated into the yet-unresolved sacking of 22 leaders of
the union in the state.

The National Executive Committee of JUSUN led by the President
of the union, Mr. Marwan Adamu, held its meeting on June 29, 2019,
where it issued a threat to embark on a nationwide industrial
action if the crisis remained unresolved within 21 days.

The communique signed by the union’s President, Adamu, and
General Secretary, Isiah Adetola, and which was made available to
journalists on Monday, accused the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State of
not showing commitment to the prompt resolution of the matter,
hence the need to issue the threat.

It also said the NEC endorsed the ongoing strike of judiciary
workers in the state.

The communique read in part, “NEC-in-session frowns on the lack
of commitment of the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice
Sulaiman Umaru Dikko, in resolving the lingering crisis between the
union and the management of the Nasarawa State judiciary.

“Consequently, the union hereby issues a 21-day ultimatum to the
Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria to call on the Chief Judge of
Nasarawa State, Justice Sulaiman Umaru Dikko to resolve the crisis
without which the union can no longer guarantee industrial harmony
in the nation’s judiciary.

“While the strike is ongoing, the NEC-in-session has re-endorsed
the strike action by the union in the state.”

The union also expressed “dismay at the unwillingness of Edo
State Government to pay the outstanding seven months’ salary of
judiciary workers in the state.”

The salary arrears were said to have been inherited by Governor
Godwin Obaseki from the administration of the former governor,
Adams Oshiomhole.

JUSUN urged Obaakei “to urgently do the needful to enhance the
already existing industrial harmony (in Edo State)”.

While congratulating the President of the Nigerian Labour
Congress, Ayuba Wabba, on its emergence as the President of the
International Trade Union Congress, the union also hailed the JUSUN
President, Adamu, on his emergence as the National Financial
Secretary of the NLC.

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Ruga Settlement Will Provide Basic Amenities for Willing
Host Communities

The Presidency wishes to draw attention to recent unhelpful
comments regarding the plan to stop roaming of cattle herders with
the attendant clashes with farmers.

“Ruga Settlement” that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families
simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just
cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with
provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as
schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and
manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and
animal products.

Beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not
only Fulani herders.

The Federal Government is planning this in order to curb open
grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to
farmers and herders.

The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction
in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal
protection complete with a value chain that will increase the
quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk
production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care
and private sector participation in commercial pasture production
by way of investments.

Other gains are job creation, access to credit facilities,
security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle
rustling.

Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the
recent comments, there is no government plan to seize state land,
colonize territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation.
Government has made it clear time and again that the programme is
voluntary.

So far, twelve states have applied to the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme
in their states. This number is sufficient for the pilot
scheme.
Unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified
interest in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation
list have been misleading people that the Federal Government is
embarking on a scheme to take away their lands.

Mostly, these are state leaders that have no explanation to
offer their people for continued non-payment of workers’ salaries.
It is true that government at the centre has gazetted lands in all
states of the federation but because the idea is not to force this
programme on anyone, the government has limited the take-off to the
dozen states with valid requests.

We urge states to join the Federal Government at the centre in
encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards
finding a peaceful resolution. As we seek a permanent solution to
these unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no
innocent person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of right and
freedom under our laws.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)