Subsidy crisis: Atiku urges FG, labour to speed up resolution Posted Sunday Jan 15,2015

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advised the Federal Government and organized labour/civil society leaders to find a mutually agreeable settlement to the current anti-subsidy withdrawal protests across the country in the larger interest of millions who have been suffering additional burden of hardship since the strike began a week ago.

Reacting to the lingering crisis in a statement by his Media Office, the former Vice President said the two sides have a responsibility to show flexibility rather than adopting a maximalist posture on their demands.

According to him, both the government and labour leaders should be united by the common interest of ordinary Nigerians who are bearing the crunch of the seeming stalemate.

He said unless the two sides are realistic, the nation stands the risk of reaching a cul-de-sac in the negotiations, thereby compounding the hardship of millions who are earnestly awaiting a speedy end to this crisis.

The former Vice President particularly urged the two sides to listen to the reason rather than bending to the dictates of their egos, which might lead to avoidable complications in finding a workable solution to the subsidy crisis.

Atiku Abubakar noted that sacrifices were needed by both sides to ensure that the final resolution serves the best interest of the economy and the people.

The former Vice President, however, condemned the killings by the security agents and the violence and arson on public and private property by a section of the protesters.

While urging for restraint by both parties, he advised labour leaders not to allow criminal elements to infiltrate their ranks and discredit the essence of legitimate peaceful protest.