NLC, TUC made this pledge at the 10th anniversary lecture in honour of the late Pascal Bayau, in Abuja, respectively.
By Eugene Onyeji
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have thrown their weight behind Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, pledging to support, campaign and do everything within their power to ensure that he emerges winner in the 2023 presidential election .
NLC, TUC made this pledge at the 10th anniversary lecture in honour of the late Pascal Bayau, at Pascal Bayau Labour House and TUC secretariat, Abuja, respectively.
Speaking to the congregation of high profile labour leaders and members, the third president of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated that Obi is among the finest Nigerians and the first presidential candidate of Labour Party to be recognised by the Labour Centre.
He went on to say that NLC is solidly behind Labour Party and will fully mobilise to ensure the victory of the party come 2023 general elections.
He also recalled that workers’ unions have realised that strikes and protests alone cannot change the narratives in Nigeria, especially with regards to workers’ welfare and fair treatment to the working people, hence labour must venture fully into politics and work hard to support candidates whose mantra will make life better for their members and Nigerians at large.
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TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, on the other hand said “Obi is a face among the presidential candidates all labour unions are pleased and are ready to work with,”
Olaleye stated that the entire labour movement has accepted, adopted and will support, and ensure workers massively vote for Obi in the 2023 presidential elections.
”The Labour Party is stronger, one and formidable and the party has a widespread structure, as there is a worker and a members of either TUC and NLC in every family across Nigeria.”
In his remark, Obi said his visit to the leadership of the two labour centres was not to campaign, but a courtesy call to honour the organised labour on whose party and interest he is seeking Nigerians vote in the 2023 general elections.
The former governor of Anambra State said workers are the main stakeholders in the quest for economic development of any nation.
Obi said no one can honestly talk of improving production in any sector without factoring in the contribution of the workforce.
He said the reason the economy was lying almost prostrate today was because most of the loans being secured were being channeled towards consumption and unproductive ventures.
Obi also said that the reason the country’s revenue to GDP was low was because the country has remained unproductive.
Obi further said governance was all about the people, adding that as governor of Anambra state, he identified with the needs of the people.
Speaking on the harsh economic situation in the country, Obi’ said the way out was to return Nigeria to a productive nation.
“Nigeria is not a producing country. The collective effect of what we are suffering today is bad leadership. We have a leadership that concentrates on sharing.
“So you have to move from sharing formula to production formula. This is a country of 200 million people sitting on 923,000 square kilometers of land. They can’t feed themselves, they can’t export anything. Total of Nigeria’s export including oil is under $2 billion for 200 million population,” he said.
Obi said more than half of the country’s youths of productive age are unemployed.
“If you borrow for consumption, you are in problem, but if you borrow for production, you will progress,” he insisted.
Obi suggested that a law should be enacted to ensure that all loans by government should be for productive ventures.