Daud Olatunji
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has urged labour leaders across the country to seek political power, arguing that occupying elective and appointive positions would give workers’ representatives greater influence over policies affecting the Nigerian workforce.
Ajaero made the call in Birnin Kebbi while addressing members of the NLC National Administrative Council during a dinner hosted by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris.
The NLC president said the experience of former labour leaders who had moved into government had demonstrated that the labour movement could make a greater impact when its members were directly involved in governance.
He cited Governor Idris, a former senior NLC official, as an example of the contribution labour leaders could make when they transitioned from union activities to political leadership.
Ajaero described Kebbi as a “second home” to the NLC because of the emergence of Idris, who previously served as Deputy National President and Acting President of the Congress, as governor of the state.
He said Idris had contributed significantly to the growth and influence of the labour movement before moving into partisan politics.
According to Ajaero, the NLC would continue to create and support opportunities for more former labour leaders to occupy political offices.
He argued that political positions provided labour leaders with a wider platform to influence public policy and advance the welfare of workers.
The NLC president also commended Idris for what he described as the transformation taking place across Kebbi State, assuring the governor of the Congress’s continued support.
Ajaero said the NLC leadership had repeatedly visited the state because of its peaceful and secure environment, despite what he described as negative publicity about the state.
He said the Congress would maintain its relationship with the Kebbi State Government and continue to engage the administration.
Responding, Governor Idris described the NLC leadership as members of his extended family, saying his years in the labour movement had prepared him for the responsibilities of governance.
The governor said his experience as a labour leader had exposed him to the challenges confronting workers and equipped him with an understanding of the importance of workers’ welfare in governance.
Idris dismissed reports portraying his administration negatively as opposition propaganda, insisting that his government had recorded significant achievements across various sectors.
He also commended the NLC and the Trade Union Congress for their cooperation with his administration.
The governor called on labour leaders to preserve unity and brotherhood among Nigerian workers, saying a united labour movement would be better positioned to defend and promote the interests of its members.
Idris further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of civil servants and other workers in Kebbi State.
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