The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a scathing rebuke against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of being out of touch with the everyday challenges faced by Nigerians.
Tinubu’s recent remarks, made during the commissioning of the Lagos railway red line project, where he questioned the moral authority of organised labour to criticize his administration’s policies, prompted a swift response from the NLC.
The congress urged Tinubu to prioritize addressing the ongoing hardships experienced by citizens.
In a statement delivered by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC expressed profound dismay over Tinubu’s preoccupation with partisan matters and future elections, rather than focusing on the immediate needs of the populace.
Ajaero emphasized that the NLC’s core objective is to advocate for effective governance that places the welfare and security of all Nigerians above political ambitions.
Furthermore, Ajaero urged Tinubu to refocus his efforts on fulfilling the fundamental duties of public office, addressing crucial issues under discussion since June 2023. These include wage increases, social welfare programs, infrastructure development, and the revitalization of critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
Ajaero said: “It is regrettable that the president seems oblivious of the profound hardship endured by millions of Nigerians. The pervasive hunger, unemployment, housing insecurity and escalating cost of basic necessities, such as food and health care, 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 emphasize that our primary objective is not to vie for political positions, including that of the president; rather, our sole focus is on advocating 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 programmes, infrastructure development and the revitalisation of key sectors, such as education and health care.
“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.
