Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has lampooned the labour movement in Nigeria for their indifference to the incessant increment in pump price of petroleum products, electricity tariff and insecurity in the country.

He said labour movement in the country is dead because it has lost its force of engagement with government and hardly can achieve anything good for the generality of the workforce and Nigerians.

Governor Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretariat Building, performed by the National President of TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, on Friday in Ozuoba Town of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Rivers State Governor observed that the leadership of labour has left substance to pursue shadows and hardly can speak in a manner that can change or achieve reversal of the many anti-people policies being implemented by the Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.
Governor Wike stated that under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigeria workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but have lost their voice under a majority tribe president.

“It is unfortunate that labour has abandoned their role in this country. You are chasing things that are personal to you. All over the world, when government is not going the right way, it is labour that comes out to say we cannot allow it. Majority of our people are civil servants and have others to cater for. But since the inception of this government, labour has died.

“Under Former President Goodluck Jonathan, labour was alive. They said the country must come down because he is from a minority area. But look at what is happening. There’s increase in fuel pump price, insecurity, and increase of electricity tariff. Where is labour? Where is TUC, where is NLC? The only thing I hear is minimum wage.

He further continued: “Let the world hear it, labour has died. Nigerians cannot get anything substantive from you. Labour is like an opposition party. Labour does not work for any ruling government, no. But now you people are working for ruling government, but under Jonathan, occupy Nigeria. And that is why we say there is so much injustice in this country. Because I come from a place, a minority area, you can treat me any how, but when you come from the other side nobody can touch you. That is not how this country should move forward. Be firm and take decision and know that was is wrong is wrong and let Nigerians have confidence in you.”

Speaking on the TUC Building, Governor Wike said his administration has provided the Secretariat to strengthen the independence of labour so that it can perform its duties effectively.

“Mr President, what we have done here is our own little contribution to make your people independent and work for the interest of the country, not for the interest of only minimum wage. This minimum wage will come when it will come. No governor is anti-workers . I have brothers and sisters who are civil servants, so how will I be against them. But we must do things in ways that things are supposed to be done.”

He urged labour to always engage his administration concerning the larger issues that border on workers productivity and welfare beyond the demands for check-off dues.

The governor while reacting to labour’s opposition against National Assembly plan to remove the issue of minimum wage from the exclusive list to concurrent list, insisted that workers must be realise that the financial capacity of the federating states differ.

“Let us face reality, if we are to operate true federalism, you cannot say that the man who is in Sokoto should earn the same thing with the man who is in Lagos, it is not possible. The house rent in Lagos is more expensive than house rent in Sokoto. You cannot say that the man in Logo should earn the same thing with the man who is in Rivers . So people should be very realistic.

“In America, somebody who works in California cannot earn the same with the person working in Chicago. No. You people say federal government should fix salary. How can federal government fix salary for me? He did not employ you. I employed you. I sit down with you, we negotiate, then you say federal government should fix what everybody will earn”.

Inaugurating the TUC Secretariat, National President of TUC, Quadri Olaleye applauded Governor Wike for completing the project and not abandoning it after the groundbreaking ceremony.

According to Olaleye, the governor’s achievements has made him controversial that was why he was one of those who also castigated Governor Wike for his contributions to the judiciary but he understands it better now.

https://www.independent.ng/fuel-price-hike-nlc-is-dead-cant-do-anything-about-it-wike/

NLC died after Oshiomhole left

Them go just dey oppress us

Rubber stamped NLC.! Woke should also shut the fuc k up. The politicians make NLC impotent, Wike inclusive

Very incompetent

He came in when it was about 90 Naira per liter. If Mr President was not from the North, we all know one third of the country would be in the streets protesting right now.

But we're not ready for that hypocrisy conversation now

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Burried.

Buhari, north, religion are the best things that happened to this country.

True

This present NLC president is the worst ever and there will never be any worst than him.

But hey, its part of politics. he is a northerner. A northerner is the president. they play politics with anything, cow, human life name it.

If a southerner was president, northern elite will use him to cause chaos for the president.

He is not weak. if he gets a call from an Emir, he will melt like a vegetable

See where Buhari picked us from and now we are headed for N212 per litre and the country and people who earn 18k as minimum wage are quiet.

To the Glory God Almighty. I left poverty in 2010 and there is no going back. Nigerians should embrace what they voted for

Real dead

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APC is evil

I have noticed that when there is price hikes in other countries, everyone will express their displeasure by taking over the streets but Nigerians are very quick to accept everything in good fate

True to the headline.

Salient points did Wike make. I’m impressed.

That is true,the NLC only knew its fuctions and value during the Oshiomole's tenure vs Obasanjo's administration.not this close mouthed, frighten,and compromising NLC. If you ask me that is what propelled oshiomole to become governor of Edo state,and a national figure.because he was a man with the people wellbeing at heart.but as he climb higher the ladder of power he became even more currupt than the govenment he fourth aginst.

The butcher of Oyigbo, who still refuse to pay workers salary. Animals in power.

Since wen ? Since that short khaki man commot join politics.Dey don use money sealed their brain

Not JUST NLC alone average Nigerians are selfish and wicked...

Apt.

The NLC is now a shadow of itself.

Toothless bulldog..... As a matter of fact, it has become a branch of APC.

Hmmm, NLC perhaps is dead. But ASUU is fully active only based on their interest. Useless Govt, useless Unions.

Buhari's government is the greatest disappointment in history of MANKIND

Well spoken. TELL THEM

No

Nigeria is always going down.
Is down as i speak.

Oshiomole helped APC to infiltrate NLC and made the union useless by creating factions amongst them. There is no unity in today's NLC but oshiomole will pay for the wickedness he unleashed on the Nigeria masses even when he benefitted a lot loyalty from Nigerians while he was the unions president.