The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC says President Bola Tinubu’s comments on its demands are diversionary and remain unacceptable.
The labour movement in a statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero says Tinubu’s insinuation that Labour lacks the moral ground to challenge his
administration, merely nine months into office, is deeply troubling.
The NLC says Presirent Tinubu must
heed the voices of ordinary Nigerians, prioritise governance over politics, and take
meaningful steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.
The labour centre says moreover, the President’s
focus on partisan issues and the distant 2027 election cycle, rather than the urgent
needs of the populace, further underscores a disconnect from the realities faced by
Nigerians on a daily basis.
NLC says it is regrettable that the President seems oblivious of the pervasive hunger, unemployment, housing
insecurity, and escalating costs of basic necessities such as food and healthcare, which
demand immediate attention and decisive action.
Labour wondered why instead of addressing these
pressing concerns, President Tinubu appears preoccupied with political calculations
and future electoral prospects.
The NLC emphasised that its primary objective is not to vie for political
positions, including that of the President rather, its sole focus is on advocating
for effective governance that prioritises the welfare and security of all Nigerians.
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NLC used the statement to urge President Tinubu to redirect his efforts towards fulfilling the fundamental
duty of public office, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
The NLC says Nigerians should ask President Tinubu that in the two Memoranda of Understanding signed with his government on
June 5 and October 2 2023, with the first having seven items while the second with 15 items, which have been implemented.
It says it has been
a chain of broken promises not only to Organised Labour but to hungry Nigerians and President Tinubu’s administration must be held accountable for the commitments
made in previous agreements with Labour, noting it is disheartening to note the apparent
lack of progress in implementing the agreements, despite repeated assurances
from the government.
NLC notes the imperative of engagements between Labour and the
government since June 2023 on critical matters such as wage increases,
social welfare programmes, infrastructure development, and the revitalisation of key
sectors such as education and healthcare.
It says President Tinubu should avoid the dissipation of energy and focus on
non-implementation of
agreements on Wage Award by
States and Private sectors, fertilizer initiative to farmers across the country; provision of funds for MSMEs and visitation to monitor completion of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
It says Nigerians deserve transparency and tangible results, not
empty promises and bureaucratic delays, accusing the President of using divisive language and veiled threats against Labour.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
