THE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria says the plight of Nigerians under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari falls below expectation just as it decries the incessant recourse to foreign loans.
“The plight of Nigerians under this administration falls below expectation. We say no to more loans. It has to stop. We are not in a master-servant relationship. Public officials are our employees because they are paid with taxpayers’ money,” the TUC said in a goodwill message to Nigerian workers to mark this year’s to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
In the message contained in a press release on Monday, July 19, 2021, signed by Comrades Quadri A. Olaleye and Musa-Lawal Ozigi, President and Secretary General respectively, the TUC called “on the leadership of the country to bear it in mind that the country is in a dire strait and we can only overcome if they (leaders) lead a selfless and exemplary life.”
Noting that “the harsh economy is taking tolls on a large number of Nigerians and out of frustration many, especially the youths are doing untoward things just to make ends meet,” the TUC leadership, while pointing out that “only God can help us overcome our challenges” also acknowledged that “we must not forget that certainly we do have a role to play.”
The statement further reads in part: “The impoverished masses of the country are going through an excruciating experience presently and it behoves the wealthy and the privileged Nigerians to empathise with the needy. Painfully and regrettably the order of the day has been flagrant transfer of our commonwealth and loans to foreign banks rather than making it useful for the nation where it is really needed. This is the time for the leadership at all levels to have a rethink and redraw a workable roadmap capable of transforming the economy of the country.
“The plight of Nigerians under this administration falls below expectation. We say no to more loans. It has to stop. We are not in a master-servant relationship. Public officials are our employees because they are paid with taxpayers’ money.
“The Congress desires a country that is peaceful and development conscious. To achieve this the youth have to be gainfully engaged – not as political thugs. An army of idle youths portends great danger for any society. While we celebrate with our Muslim brothers and sisters, we must be committed to sharing and caring for one another as Allah has directed. We call on everyone to remain self-disciplined and law abiding even as we strive to achieve the desired development we crave.”
