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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The president of Trade Union of Congress (TUC),Festus Osifo, has said it is the right of the union to embark on protest and strike to drive home its demands.
Osifo stated this while responding to the recent comment made by President Bola Tinubu about the protest embarked upon by the labour unions.
On Thursday, Tinubu had while inaugurating the Lagos Red rail line said it was unacceptable for the labour unions to call for strike four times within the first nine months of an administration.
The president said the NLC is not the only voice of Nigerians, asking the union to wait until 2027 to participate in the electoral process.
The NLC had declared a two-day nationwide mass protest on February 27 and 28, over the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.
On Tuesday, the protest took place in many parts of the country, including the federal capital territory (FCT).
However, the leadership of the NLC announced on Tuesday evening the suspension of the second day of the protest, noting that the objectives were achieved on the first day of the rally.
Reacting to Tinubu’s comment during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Osifo said members of the TUC are not politicians, adding that they are only interested in their welfare.
The TUC president asked the president to address the fundamental issues that led to the union’s protest and strike.
“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 the Trade Union Congress; we are not politicians, we are unionists, and 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 must exercise their rights, and people must protest.
“In terms of waiting till 2027 to enter politics, I don’t think that is something we could dabble into because, 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, the president’s view is alien to us because the right to protest and strike is that of the workers.
“There are condition precedents, for the fact that you are going on a protest or strike, there are some things that led to it, those fundamental issues must be addressed,” he said.
NLC to Tinubu: Stop making empty promises, tackle hardship
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has asked President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promises to Nigerians rather singling the union out for criticism.
Reacting to Tinubu’s statementin a statement issued on Friday, NLC President, Com Joe Ajaero said: “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 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, 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.about:blank
“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.
“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. 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.”
