Organised Labour has told President Bola Tinubu that its members are not interested in any political position including his office.
President Tinubu during the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line Project on Thursday threw a jibe at the Labour unions, telling them to stop their protests and maintain peace as they are not the only voice for Nigerians.
He told the Labour unions to wait for 2027 if they want to participate in the electoral process.
But responding in a statement on Friday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC Counterpart said they are not interested in Tinubu’s position but are demanding that he implements all the agreements the Labour unions reached with the Federal Government following the removal of fuel subsidy.
Ajaero said the NLC found the remarks of the President, particularly those concerning the role of Labour in governance, to be profoundly at variance with the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians under existing policies.
On his part President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, said members of his union are not politicians and that they have the right to protest.
“I listened to that comment yesterday where he said that we should wait for 2027 if we want to contest for elections. I could speak for Trade Union Congress, we are not politicians, we are unionists, it is our right to protest – it is a fundamental right of every single Nigeria,” Osifo said.
Ajaero’s statement read in part, “It is regrettable that the President seems oblivious of 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 emphasize 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 prioritizes 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.
