The NLC-led strike in Abuja yesterday recorded partial compliance, with banks closed and petrol stations operating under tight security.
However, commercial drivers and Okada operators were rendering services unhindered. One of the Okada operators, Ibrahim Black, told Daily Trust that the strike was not for poor people like him who are looking for what to eat daily. He said he decided to stay out of the strike because previous strikes did not help matters, adding that the poor usually pay the price.
The ministries and parastatals in Abuja also complied as most offices remained closed. The Federal Secretariat at Garki Area One was virtually desolate, uptil 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Some respondents told Daily Trust that the offices were locked up by the NLC officials. At the National Population Commission, few of the officials that reported for work were seen loitering.
Activities could be seen in major roads like the Olusegun Obasanjo Way, where the NNPC Plaza station is situated, though the station was barricaded by the NLC officials, while long queues of vehicles continued to increase.
While vehicular movement was less around the busy Herbert Macaulay Way in Wuse, policemen were stationed at strategic locations as early as 10 o’clock in the morning.
However, lawyers had attended court session at the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Jabi. The presiding Chief Magistrate Othman Musa commenced sitting with some prosecutors and lawyers in open court as about 10 o’clock in the morning, when several applications were made by some lawyers. Some of the lawyers told Daily Trust that the NLC had failed to effectively coordinate the strike, judging from the number of vehicles plying the streets of Abuja.
Judges of the Federal and High Courts in Abuja presided over a few cases. Counsels were on ground to take fresh adjournments. This led to court attendants and clerks attending to those wish-ing to take fresh adjournments.
Court clerks that spoke to Daily Trust said the skeletal activities at the courts were not the result of strike action, insisting that “we do not partake in strike actions. Strike or no strike, we’re always here and so are the judges.”
