*We’re Not After Your Job
*‘There Must Be Protest, We’re Not Politicians’
THE organised Labour in Nigeria has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s jab at them over their protest on Tuesday, February 27, urging the President to stop playing politics and address the issues of hunger and unemployment facing Nigerians, against which they trooped into the streets.
The President, while commissioning the Red Line transportation system in Lagos, said it was unacceptable for Labour to call for a strike within the first nine months of his administration, saying the organised Labour is not the only voice of Nigerians, adding that if labour unions want to participate in the election, they should wait till 2027.
But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement on Friday, March 1, and signed by its President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, asked Tinubu to channel his energy into tackling the enormous challenges facing Nigerians, for which they protested, and to focus on keeping his promises to Nigerian, rather than engaging in rhetoric or threatening trade union organisations.
The statement read: “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.
“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, 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 Tinubu to redirect his efforts towards fulfilling this fundamental duty of public office, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.”
The union assured Tinubu that they were not hunting for his job.
On its part, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Festus Osifo, said members of his union were not politicians, but emphasised their right to protest.
Speaking on a television programme, Osifo stated: “I listened to that comment yesterday where he said that we should wait for 2027 if we want to contest for elections. For TUC, we are not politicians; we are unionists. It is our right to protest; it is a fundamental right of every single Nigeria.
“So, we don’t have issues with protests, when need be, people will exercise their rights and people must protest.
“In terms of waiting till 2027 to enter into politics, I don’t think that is something we could dabble into, because I as an individual; I am not a card-carrying member of any political party. What I am interested in is the welfare of my members and indeed the entire Nigerian masses.
“So, what the President said, for me, is alien to us, because the right to protest and the right to strike is that of the workers. There are condition precedents, for the fact that you are going on protest or strike, there are some things that led to it. Those fundamental issues must be addressed.”
