PRESS RELEASE
1ST OF MARCH, 2024
MR. PRESIDENT: WE ARE NOT AFTER YOUR JOB

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 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.
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 viz;

1. Review Proposal for Wage Increase and Award including framework for timing and implementation

2. Review the program of Cash Transfer and propose inclusion of low-income earners in the program

3. Review issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector and propose solutions for implementation

4. Revive the CNG conversion programs

5. Review the framework for the completion of rehabilitation work on the Nation’s refineries

6. 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 organize a nationwide rally while the president gave his personal commitment. [/i]
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;

7. The first item on the Agreement is the N35,000 Wage Award.

8. Port Harcourt Refinery will come on stream by December, 2023

9. 25,000 cash transfers to 15 million poor household would be implemented

10. Tax waivers for workers, small businesses and general public

11. Government interference in the internal affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and RTEAN to be stopped

12. The agreement will be deposited as settlement with the Court by Government.

13. That CNG buses and 55,000 conversion kits will be provided

14. All parties shall henceforth commit to the use of social dialogue in all of our engagements

15. The National Minimum Wage Committee to be set up immediately.

16. Outstanding Wages and Salaries for Tertiary Education workers in all federally – owned educational institutions to be paid

17. States and Private sectors to be compelled by the federal government to give Wage Award to workers

18. Fertilizer initiative to farmers across the nation

19. Provision of funds for MSMEs across the nation

20. Visitation to the Refinery to monitor 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 right to ask that it complies with the agreement it willingly reached with us?

But beside 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 beside 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, prioritize governance over politics, and take meaningful steps towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Comrade Joe Ajaero
President

Nigeria Labour Congress

Similarly, reacting to Tinubu’s comment on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the President of the TUC, Festus Osifo responded thus:-

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 Nigerian.

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.

ChannelsTV

Previous Thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/8016462/not-only-voice-nigerians-wait

These people are behaving like Desuwa Ighalo and her ex husband Jude Ighalo

Different drama everyday

The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

Are you married now?

You should be thinking marriage if No

Everything started from the day NLC publicly backed a Candidate.

In that interview last night, the TUC President boldly said they didn't attend any rally or back any Candidate. He also stressed that they sat with all political parties and that was how it ended.

Oshiomhole backed OBJ for second term but it was subtle.

As long as those two are there, there will be no love lost, ironically, their (Ajaero & Tinubu) tenures end same year.

However, this FG is not sitting up, I will hope they reply with the part of agreement they have fulfilled.

Lies and propaganda will never lead any government to anywhere

Protest by the people is the only solution . We don't need NLC or TUC these are both corrupt organizations which the government bribes to confuse us .

All we need is to organize street by street take to the roads block major express roads in your area. Set old tyres on fire block the major roads and demand Tinubu step down

Unserious bodies.

Thought TUC is with Tinubu, wetin come happen again, dem de write letter give their lord and Ebola savior?

I dont understand each of one them

If I'm Tinubu I won't even reach any agreement with anybody. My only campaign promise was EMI LO KAN so I don't owe any Nigerian any shiiii

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

So NLC should keep quiet and fold hands and watch Tinubu destroy the masses with his ill conceived policies with no clear pathway for reducing the suffering of the masses?

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

So does the law forbid them from participating in election? If you participate in election you can't hold the president when things are going wrong? I'm deeply ashamed to share national space with zombie like you

Ok..

We have heard una.

But Tinubu now thinks that NLC (union) and LP (political party) are the same thing.

That was why he even had the guts to make that statement in the first place.

Ok

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

This is a lame thing to say. Whether or not Labour is doing what they are doing for political reason or not does it change the fact that Nigerians are suffering?


One cannot support this evil of a government without sounding dumb.


I just checked the moniker, much more was expected from you it is indeed right to keep silent and have others assume if one is wise/ calculative than for one to talk recklessly and everyone easy confirm one isn't sensible

wow

Are u sure?

We can’t do 30k minimum wage
It’s outrageous

kk

We all are politically inclined in a way or another

This is what happens when you have a comedian as a president. Please everybody should indure this baby steps of pain.

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

Nigeria is a shithole among the comity of nations. Labour being neutral or not is not the problem ravaging the country at the moment. Is it Labour that are causing the present hardship in the country? Is it because of labour fuel is #700? Is it because of labour a bag of rice is #77000? Let's us be realistic for once and stop all this sentimental talk.

Jokers

Reason nigeria is where it finds itself .
They dont have what it takes to turn the economy around today they are already salivating on 2027.
Tomorrow they will tell you obidients are praying for their downfall despite all the advices and red flag bad policies signaled to them by the opposition.

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

even you as a mod is highly partisan ,you would do worse if you were the labour president.you will even do open campaign for the political party in power

Mynd44:
The problem with Labor is that they didn't stay neutral in the last election. It is difficult for a lot of people to believe they are not doing whatever they are doing for political reasons instead of the welfare of the people in the union. It is a weird place they put and have now found themselves

Hunger neva wipe them then, people are simply tired of government ni

Once the people ready, even NLC will come to learn work

sirray001:
Nigeria is a shithole among the comity of nations. Labour being neutral or not is not the problem ravaging the country at the moment. Is it Labour that are causing the present hardship in the country? Is it because of labour fuel is #700? Is it because of labour a bag of rice is #77000? Let's us be realistic for once and stop all this sentimental talk.

Yes oOoOO. Government should address real issues on ground not blaming games

fergie001:


Nigeria Labour Congress

Similarly, reacting to Tinubu’s comment on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the President of the TUC, Festus Osifo responded thus:-



ChannelsTV

Previous Thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/8016462/not-only-voice-nigerians-wait

Not one...
Not one fake promise has been done..

Yet people are supporting a criminal like this and you say those ones are not retardedd