Strike action, like war, is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. It cripples the economy of the nation and makes the masses of the people suffer. In a situation where a government has inherited the insensitivity of its predecessor and as such refuses to consider the plight of its people in the institution of its inhuman policies, the people have no choice but to speak to such a government in the very language it understands. It is better for us to endure the temporary hardship that comes with pressing for our rights than to perpetually suffer in silence form the policies of an oppressive government.
As Machiavelli said “Necessary wars are just wars, and the arms of a nation are hallowed when it has no other resource but to fight.” The Nigerian people, having explored fruitlessly all civil avenues of making the government feel their pain had no option left but to make use of the only weapon left in our arsenal- To down tools. So far it has served us well.
I commend the new leader of the NLC comrade Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar for remaining steadfast in the struggle and allowing his good sense of judgment get the better of him in the face of pressures from the north to back down. He has proven to be no less valiant and resolute a leader than his predecessor. We the Nigerian people say more power to your elbow.
I also commend the Nigerian people for remaining unwavering, and most importantly peaceful while pressing for their rights.
As we “sheath our swords” let us remain law abiding but also vigilant. Just as there is no way to encourage a drunkard not to behave drunk, so also there is no way to encourage an impenitently insensitive government not to trample on our rights. This “battle” has ended, but the “war” continues. We shall overcome. God be with us.