Maharaj ji to Nigerian workers: Shelve planned strike, embrace dialogue

The Founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has appealed to Nigerian workers to suspend their planned strike and embrace dialogue with the Federal Government.

Maharaj Ji made the appeal in a press release issued in Ibadan on Tuesday, describing the workers’ demands for improved welfare as legitimate but warning that industrial action could further strain the country’s economy.

He urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour organisations to pursue negotiations to bring the government to the table.

Maharaj Ji said President Bola Tinubu, despite his shortcomings, was not as inhumane as some public opinion leaders portrayed him.

“President Tinubu, right from day one of his administration, has shown that he is a listening father, who has always been showing his readiness to engage with Nigerians and address issues affecting different sectors of the country,” he said.

The One Love Family founder noted that both the Federal Government and the current NLC leadership inherited an economy facing serious challenges, adding that addressing the situation required constructive engagement and collective efforts.

He attributed some of Nigeria’s economic difficulties to European imperialism, colonial subjugation and exploitation. He also criticised recurring strikes, blame games and unfulfilled promises, saying they had failed to provide lasting solutions.

Maharaj Ji warned that a prolonged strike could disrupt economic activities and worsen the hardship faced by citizens.

He said the history of labour agitation, from Pa Imodu to Hassan Sunmonu and Pascal Bafyau, reflected longstanding structural challenges.

The spiritual leader listed several measures by the Tinubu administration which he said demonstrated its commitment to workers’ welfare. These included the resolution of disputes involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the introduction of the student loan scheme, payment of arrears owed to medical doctors and an increase in the minimum wage to N80,000.

ALSO READ: No going back on teachers’ strike, FCT NLC dares Wike

He also cited improved allowances for students, salary increases for soldiers and police officers, moves towards state police, reconstruction of ports and harbours, and increased federal allocations to states.

Maharaj Ji said the government was not opposed to legitimate workers’ demands but was making efforts to improve their welfare.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu would respond positively to the workers’ concerns, urging the NLC and the government to prioritise national interest and negotiations to maintain industrial peace.