Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA, has appealed to labor unions to shelve the nationwide strike slated to commence on Tuesday, October 3.

The unions have fixed the date to embark on an indefinite strike following the removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government.

Abubakar, at a public lecture to mark the nation’s 63rd Independence Anniversary on Friday in Abuja, urged them to sheath their swords “in the interest of the masses”.

He emphasized the need for dialogue to find solutions to the issues “instead of embarking on a strike”.

”I am an advocate of dialogue because strikes don’t solve problems; they make them worse. Our leaders must tighten their belts; the common man is suffering.

‘”I don’t think this government will just decide to make life bad for the people; as leaders and elders, we will always call on stakeholders not to embark on journeys that will make life worse for the common man.

“I don’t think the government can take it upon itself to make life unbearable for the common man; let’s give them a chance and see what they can do,” he said.

According to him, the strike will add more problems to the existing economic situation.

”If people are on strike, there wouldn’t be electricity, water, hospitals, or transportation systems.

”Please, let’s reach out to our brothers and sisters who are clamoring to go on strike. They should have a rethink,” the Sultan appealed.