March 03, (THEWILL)- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the use of divisive language and veiled threats against Labour by President Bola Tinubu is unacceptable.
Responding to the remarks made by the President against the NLC on Thursday, Labour urged Tinubu to foster constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing the myriad challenges facing Nigeria.
THEWILL reports that the Labour union was responding to the President’s statement on Thursday when he described as unreasonable the incessant strikes by the NLC in just nine months of his administration.
Speaking in Lagos when he inaugurated the Red Rail Line on Thursday, President Tinubu, who said the NLC is not the voice of Nigeria, asked the union to wait till 2027 if it is interested in joining the electoral process.
However, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, in a statement on Friday, said the union is not after President Tinubu’s job.
Ajaero, who reiterates NLC’s unwavering commitment to championing the interests of Nigerian workers and the broader populace, urged President Tinubu to heed the voices of ordinary Nigerians, prioritise governance over politics, and take meaningful steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.
Ajaero urged Tinubu to stop playing politics and address the hunger and unemployment facing Nigerians.
Titled “MR. PRESIDENT: WE ARE NOT AFTER YOUR JOB”, the statement reads: “The recent statements attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the commissioning of the Red-Line Railway Project have sparked deep concern within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). We find 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.
“President Tinubu’s insinuation that Labour lacks the moral ground to challenge his administration, merely nine months into office, is deeply troubling. Moreover, his 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.
“It is regrettable that the President seems oblivious to the profound hardships endured by millions of Nigerians. The pervasive hunger, unemployment, housing insecurity, and escalating costs of basic necessities such as food and healthcare demand immediate attention and decisive action. Yet, instead of addressing these pressing concerns, President Tinubu appears preoccupied with political calculations and future electoral prospects.
“The NLC wishes to emphasise that our primary objective is not to vie for political positions, including that of the President. Rather, our sole focus is on advocating for effective governance that prioritises the welfare and security of all Nigerians. We urge President Tinubu to redirect his efforts towards fulfilling this fundamental duty of public office, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
“It is imperative that we refocus our collective energy on addressing the 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.
“In any case to avoid the dissipation of energy, it is important that we focus on the real issues because we have engaged the government since June 2023 after the subsidy is gone statement. The issues are around the non-implementation of agreements reached between us and the government.
“For example, on June 5, 2023, after the hike in the Price of PMS, the following agreements were reached between us and the Government:
Review Proposal for Wage Increase and Award, including framework for timing and implementation.
Review the programME of Cash Transfer and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program.
Review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation.
Revive the CNG conversion programs.
Review the framework for the completion of rehabilitation work on the Nation’s refineries.
Review framework for the maintenance of Roads and expansion of Rail networks across the country.
“Mr. President, these agreements were reached but the Committee that was saddled with working on these was never inaugurated and none of them was implemented until we were forced to organise a nationwide rally while the President gave his personal commitment. However, Mr. President, nothing came out of your promises.
“It took another round of protests for the October 2, 2023, agreement to be reached. We outline the agreement below so that your government will tell Nigerians, which one it has been able to implement. They are:
1. The first item on the Agreement is the N35,000 Wage Award.
2. Port Harcourt Refinerywill come on stream by December 2023.
3. N25,000 cash transfers to 15 million poor households would be implemented.
4. Tax waivers for workers, small businesses and the general public.
5. Government interference in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and RTEAN to be stopped.
6. The agreement will be deposited as a settlement with the Court by the Government.
7. That CNG buses and 55,000 conversion kits will be provided.
8. All parties shall henceforth commit to the use of social dialogue in all of our engagements.
9. The National Minimum Wage Committee to be set up immediately.
10. Outstanding Wages and Salaries for Tertiary Education workers in all federally owned educational institutions to be paid.
11. States and Private sectors to be compelled by the Federal Government to give Wage Award to workers.
12. Fertiliser initiative to farmers across the nation.
13. Provision of funds for MSMEs across the nation.
14. Visitation to the Refinery to monitor the completion of the PH refinery.
“Once again Mr. President, these are the issues and not election or perhaps seeking to take over your job. We would want Mr. President to show us the items his government has implemented in this agreement. Perhaps, the Government wants to tell Nigerians that we do not have the right to ask that it complies with the agreement it willingly reached with us.
“But besides all these, in the two MoUs signed with this government on the 5th of June and October 2nd 2023, which item has his government implemented besides rhetoric? The first MoU has seven items while the second has 15 items. It has been a chain of broken promises not only to Labour but to hungry Nigerians.
“President Tinubu’s administration must be held accountable for the commitments made in previous agreements with Labour. It is disheartening to note the apparent lack of progress in implementing these agreements, despite repeated assurances from the government. Nigerians deserve transparency and tangible results, not empty promises and bureaucratic delays.
“Furthermore, the use of divisive language and veiled threats against Labour by President Tinubu is unacceptable. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to foster constructive dialogue and collaboration in addressing the myriad challenges facing our nation. Violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society, and any attempts to suppress dissent will only exacerbate tensions and undermine our collective efforts towards progress and prosperity.
“Finally, the NLC reiterates its unwavering commitment to championing the interests of Nigerian workers and the broader populace. We call upon President Tinubu to heed the voices of ordinary Nigerians, prioritise governance over politics, and take meaningful steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.”
Otu Reinstates Dethroned C’River Traditional Ruler
From Bassey Aniekan, Calabar
Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has directed the immediate reinstatement of the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, His Highness, Prof Itam Hogan Itam.
Governor Out’s decision is based on the ruling of the High Court of Cross River State in Suit No. HC/MSC/154/2022 between HRM Muri Munene (Prof.) Itam Hogan Itam vs. Governor of Cross River State and two others.
Judgment on the suit was delivered on July 19, 2022 and set aside the removal of Prof. Itam as the Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, declared Prof. Itam Hogan Itam as the only and duly recognised Village Head of Obufa Obio Ukem, Clan Head of Efut Ukem, Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
The governor said that any other person who claims the title will be regarded as an impostor, adding that such a person will be contravening Section 37 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap T4, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, and shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Governor Otu also congratulated the traditional ruler on his restoration to the throne of his forefathers and urged him to pursue peace, inclusion and work towards the good of all Calabar South and the State in general.
A former governor of the state, Ben Ayade had dethroned Itam and stripped him of the title of Muri Munene and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
Ayade subsequently recognized Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon as Paramount Ruler of Calabar South.
About the Author
Sam Diala is a Bloomberg Certified Financial Journalist with over a decade of experience in reporting Business and Economy. He is Business Editor at THEWILL Newspaper, and believes that work, not wishes, creates wealth.
