By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused political leaders of abandoning governance for early political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, leaving workers and ordinary Nigerians to suffer worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made this assertion during his address at the opening ceremony of the 21st Rain School of the Congress in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.
Speaking on the theme “Labour and Human Rights in a Shrinking Democratic Space,” Ajaero lamented that the civic space in Nigeria is under siege, with workers’ rights being systematically violated.
“It is clear that governance has been abandoned for 2027 politicking. We are all on our own. Leaders who should be working to alleviate suffering are instead consumed by power games, leaving workers and ordinary Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship and burgeoning insecurity,” Ajaero said.
The NLC president said this year’s rain school will help workers prepare for the challenges ahead.
He said, “The Fight for a decent Wage has remained crucial. The struggle for the National Minimum Wage is far from over. While some progress has been made in the public sector, millions of workers in the private sector and parastatals are still enslaved by starvation wages. Public sector workers are still not fully enjoying the benefits of the National Minimum Wage act. We therefore demand full compliance across all sectors! No worker in Nigeria should earn less than what is required to live in dignity.”
Ajaero warned that a shrinking democratic space threatens not only labour organisations but also the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
According to him, the increasing suppression of workers’ rights, the disregard for the rule of law, and the subjugation of the legislature and judiciary to the executive arm of government have created a dysfunctional democracy.
Ajaero called for the revival and rebranding of the Labour Party (LP) as a strong political platform for workers and the masses ahead of 2027, warning that labour cannot afford to be a bystander in the coming elections.
“We must build political power, organise at the grassroots, and form alliances with civil society to ensure that 2027 produces a pro-worker government,” he said.
