The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has berated President Bola Tinubu over his comment on the union’s Tuesday’s protest which he described as “unacceptable”.

In a press statement issued on Friday by NLC’s president, Joe Ajaero asked the president to channel his energy into tackling the enormous challenges facing Nigerians, rather than engaging in rhetoric with the organised labour.

The union recommended him to focus on keeping his promises to Nigerians rather than threatening trade union organisations.

The statement read in part, “The recent statements attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the commissioning of the Red-Line Railway Project have sparked deep concern within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“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 prioritises 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."

The Labour Union had on Tuesday staged a protest over hardship in the land as well as the refusal of the federal government to implement agreement reached with the unions.

Reacting, Tinubu had on Thursday stated that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) cannot fight an administration which is just nine-month old.
The President explained that corruption was fighting back and vowed that the government would exterminate corruption. He added that the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate is temporary, begging Nigerians to persevere.