Union Leaders in Nigeria: President's Decision to Cancel Nationwide Strikes is Not Enough - 2003-07-01

Union leaders in Nigeria: President's decision to cancel nationwide strikes is not enough - 2003-07-01. Olusegun Obasanjo, the President of Nigeria, agreed to review the government's decision to increase fuel prices, but union leaders say that the President's decision to cancel nationwide strikes is insufficient. Following negotiations between the two parties in Abidjan, the capital of the country, Adams Oshiomole, the leader of the strikes, stated that although they welcome the government's decision, protests will not cease until a directive to maintain fuel subsidies is issued. The recent government decision resulted in a 50 percent increase in fuel prices. In response to the government's decision, one of the main labor union organizations in the country, known as the Nigeria Labour Congress, which is considered one of the influential organizations in Nigeria, called for an indefinite strike that began early Monday morning. The police in Abidjan, the capital of Nigeria, attacked demonstrators with tear gas to suppress the protests. In the large city of Lagos, people created roadblocks by burning car tires and chanting anti-government slogans.