The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has told President Bola Hamed Tinubu point-blank today Friday that Organised Labour Congress is not after his presidency but an attempt to seek for better living conditions for Nigerians especially workers.
While responding to Tinubu’s outburst against nationwide protest staged on Tuesday over the worsening hunger, suffering and poverty across the country led by the NLC, the Congress insisted that such action would continue in order to fight for the welfare and living conditions of its members and other Nigerians.
In a press statement released by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, “The recent outburst credited to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the commissioning of the Red-Line Railway Project have sparked deep concern within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The Labour Congress considered these remarks, particularly those concerning the role of Labour in governance, to be profoundly at variance with the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians under existing policies.
According to Joe Ajaero, President Bola Tinubu’s insinuation that Labour Congress lacks the moral ground to challenge his administration, roughly nine months after swore into office, is deeply mind troubling. Moreover, his focus on partisan issues and the distant 2027 election cycle, rather than the urgent needs of the populace, further indicates misplacement of priority and disconnection from the realities faced by Nigerians on a daily basis.
“It is very sad that the President seems unaware of the profound hardships endured by millions of Nigerians. The incessant hunger, unemployment, housing insecurity, abduction, killing and escalating costs of basic necessities such as food and healthcare call for urgent attention and decisive action. Instead President Tinubu addresses these pressing concerns, he appears preoccupied with political calculations and future electoral prospects.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress now reemphasized it’s objective that the Congress primary objective is neither to vie for political positions nor interested in hijacking political atmosphere of the nation but rather focusing on advocating for effective governance that prioritises the welfare and security of all Nigerians.
NLC urge President Bola Tinubu to redirect his efforts towards fulfilling this fundamental duty of public office, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
The organized Congress emphasized that their refocus is on collective energy to address substantive issues that have been the subject of engagement between Labour and the government since June 2023. These include critical matters such as wage increases, social welfare programs, infrastructure development, and the revitalization of key sectors such as education and healthcare.
“The subject of disagreement between NLC and Government is on the issues concerning non-implementation of agreements reached between us and the government.
