THE Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday in Abuja received the ‘Workers’ Charter of Demands’ from Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The 38-page document by the NLC with the support of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is a set of demands the two labour centres say those seeking political power must subscribe to gain the support of Nigerian workers.
Comrade Wabba, who handed the document to Tinubu at a townhall meeting the APC flagbearer had with the leadership of organised labour at Chida Hotel Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday, said the Workers’ Charter of Demands is inspired by the urgent need for the next President of Nigeria to wage a fierce war against corruption, which he said has almost destroyed the social and economic fabrics of Nigeria across the private and public sectors and the cause of lack of progress of the country.
“In Nigeria, our problem is people problem and we must have a government that will prioritise the fight against corruption. This is a key demand of labour. We also need government that will make social and economic justice a priority,” Wabba told Tinubu.
Comrades Wabba and Festus Osifo led the NLC and TUC trade union leaders to the event.
In his response, Tinubu promised that his administration would have zero-tolerance to corruption. He also promised that if elected, his government will strengthen anti-corruption agencies.
He added that to tame oil theft, he would ensure maximum deployment of technology to monitor, protect pipelines and block theft. He condemned those receiving stolen crude, saying that if there is no receiver, there won’t be supplier.
He described himself as a fighter for democracy and champion of the poor’s quest for good life. “I have dedicated my entire being to that cause. I was detained, then was forced into exile because of my refusal to accept anything less than a government based on the proposition that the will of the people is sovereign and should reign over armed might and imposition.
“I believe that those assembled here today share the same ideals of progressive and democratic good governance. I have spent my political life advocating for the rights and interests of ordinary Nigerians as you also do. We have long been fellow travellers on the same road. I hope that we shall continue as friends and brothers,” the APC presidential flagbearer stated.
Tinubu pledged to ensure that the nation is massively industrialised to give more people better paying jobs, while also opening doors to more emerging sectors the youth can harness.
“My Action Plan for a Better Nigeria, sets out a vision of opportunity, social justice and prosperity for all. I seek a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages give people the chance to live better lives. Where the private sector thrives, we will not disrupt it. However, where the private sector cannot do it alone, my government will take the lead in lending a helping hand.
“For young Nigerians, my goal will be to open the doors wide to emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entertainment and culture, and tourism. Specific policies will empower women and young people to become more active in our nation’s leadership.
“Our industrial policy will help Nigerian businesses manufacture, create, and invent more of the goods and services we require and to export more of those products across the globe. We will modernise and expand public infrastructure to create jobs, develop skills and spur rapid growth across all economic sectors, giving real opportunity to those who previously only dreamed of it,” he said and promised to foster a closer partnership with organised labour where dialogue on major policy issues and cooperation will become the order of the day.
Deputy Director-General of the APC PCC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said that Tinubu’s Action Plan will bring back dead industries like Kaduna Textile factories that he said once employed over 4,000 workers.
Comrade Oshiomhole charged the labour movement and civil society that the basis for their support for a presidential candidate should be who among the candidates has social and economic policies that will make life better for the working families in Nigeria. He said Tinubu is the best candidate for the workers to adopt because of his antecedents as a successful governor in Lagos.
Comrade Issa Aremu, Director General of the Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS), who is the Director of Labour Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, set the tone for the engagement when he told Wabba, Osifo and the labour delegation that the choice before workers and Nigerians in the coming general elections “is who among the presidential candidates is truly committed, tested and trusted to protect workers and the poor” and “who is ready to industrialise the country to bring back decent jobs and good pay.”
Owners of Labour Party
The leadership of organised labour, particularly the NLC has consistently claimed to be the owners of the Labour Party.
Comrade Wabba had at various fora asserted and canvassed support for the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi, the flagbearer of the Labour Party.
Apart from the open campaign for Obi, Comrade Wabba had recently claimed that the Workers Charter of Demands has been incorporated into the manifesto of the Labour Party and that the NLC and its affiliates will use the platform of its state and local government councils to campaign for the election of Labour Party’s flagbearers at all levels come 2023 general election.
The preamble to the charter reads: “This Charter of Demands aims to ventilate the issues of fundamental concerns to Nigerian workers in order to mobilise trade unions to organise around them and to defend the economic, education, health, safety and political rights of the Nigerian working people and the vast majority of the citizenry.
“To this end, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shall forge partnerships with the Trade Union Congress (TUC), progressive trade associations, professional groups and civil society organisations to campaign for the implementation of the Charter of Demands.
“To the government of Nigeria, Congress assures that through best endeavour, labour will partner with the government in achieving the demands.
“To this effect, the Nigeria Labour Congress presents this Charter of Demands to the government of Nigeria, all persons in authority and managers of public institutions for implementation.”
