The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has raised a strong alarm against what it describes as a deliberate assault on democracy and workers’ rights by the Federal Government and state governors.
The NLC accused political leaders of repressing civic freedoms, looting funds meant for workers, and diverting focus from governance to early 2027 election campaigns.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st edition of the NLC Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned what he called the systematic dismantling of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “Nigeria is on the brink of tyranny,” Ajaero declared in a passionate address to labour leaders, union members, and civil society groups gathered for the annual labour education programme.
According to Ajaero, the civic space — a core element of any functioning democracy — is fast eroding under the current political climate. “The democratic space, the very arena where citizens, especially the working class, exercise their rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in governance, is under siege,” he said.
The labour leader pointed to recent crackdowns on peaceful protests, increased surveillance of union activities, and the freezing of union accounts in certain states as evidence of an emerging culture of repression. He further alleged that government actions were being deliberately executed to silence workers and other dissenting voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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“Rather than focus on urgent governance matters like inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the welfare of citizens, our leaders have abandoned the people to play political games,” Ajaero stated. “What we are witnessing is not accidental. It is a coordinated strategy to dismantle union influence and discourage civic engagement ahead of the next elections.”
He also decried the alleged misappropriation of workers’ contributions and entitlements by both federal and state authorities. According to him, many government agencies have either refused to remit workers’ dues or diverted them into untraceable accounts.
“When a government withholds workers’ pensions, gratuities, or fails to release wage awards and cooperative deductions, what it’s doing is stealing the sweat of the people,” Ajaero said. “It’s not just economic exploitation. It’s a direct violation of trust and labour laws.”
Vanguard
