In a comprehensive session, the National Executive Council (NEC) thoroughly analyzed the prevailing national sentiment, taking into account the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting our citizens across all states of the federation. The council scrutinized the federal government's failure to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering in our nation. Furthermore, it considered the government's deliberate neglect and disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through the channels of social dialogue, a commitment it had solemnly declared during the President's inaugural address on May 29, 2023. It further examined the renewed threats against trade unions and their leaders by various governors and organizations and was alarmed at the new dimensions and shape these sordid events have taken.

Consequently, the NEC-in-session observed that:

1. The federal government has refused to engage and reach an agreement with organized labor on the critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in the price of petrol, which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigerian workers and masses.

2. There is a renewed onslaught against trade unions and their leadership by the state and its agents across Nigeria.

3. The police, under the instruction of certain forces peddling the name of the President of the federation, have invaded and illegally occupied the National Headquarters of the NURTW, making it difficult for the union to discharge its responsibilities to its membership across the nation.

4. The Imo state government has continued its efforts to clone the Congress in the state in order to continue its exploitation of workers’ rights and privileges, despite all efforts at reaching an amicable resolution.

5. The Abia State government has continued to interfere in trade union affairs and seek to impose its own leadership on state councils of NURTW and NULGE, continuing the inglorious path of workers' intimidation and union bashing in Abia State.

6. Certain aviation companies, of which Airpeace Airline is the flagship, have continued to violate the rights of workers to join unions of their choice, disregarding the provisions of international conventions and laws of Nigeria.

7. Marauders disguising as herdsmen have been unleashing terror on farmers and citizens across the nation. Members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) are, however, not involved but are respected citizens and businesses.

8. Nyesom Wike, the new Minister of the FCT, has continued to threaten workers and residents of Abuja with the demolition of their houses, despite the government's inability to make housing available.

Consequently, NEC-in-Session resolved as follows:

1. To embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

2. To commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 5th and 6th of September, 2023, to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the state vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

3. To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September, 2023, in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.

4. To begin the shutdown of the operations of Airpeace Airline and other companies in the aviation sector that are involved in the serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector to freedom of association and to collectively bargain and organize.

5. To call on communities around the nation to stop taking laws into their hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), which is one of our affiliates.

6. To demand that the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory desist from threatening poor masses in the FCT with demolition of their properties built from their years of toil but should focus more on making houses available to the people. He is not a Minister of Demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances.

Comrade Joe Ajaero

(President)

Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja (Mni)

(General Secretary)