Nigerian Workers’ Show of Shame
As workers around the world last week marked the 2015 May Day, the event in Nigeria was marred by parallel celebrations caused by the crises in some state chapters and national body of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Damilola Oyedele writes
Nigerian workers, on May 1, joined their counterparts from around the world to mark the 2015 workers day with the theme: “The Working Class, Democratic Consolidation and Economic Revival: Charting the Way to National Rebirth”. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, joint committee, headed by the Deputy President of the NLC, Comrade Peters Adeyemi organised a road show, lecture and dinner as part of events to mark the 2015 edition.
Funfare at the Abuja Celebration
The celebration at the Eagle square was held with fanfare, with parades by the affiliates of the labour movement, in their colourful outfit. Present at the event were the Executive of the NLC and TUC, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed and the Minister of Labour and productivity, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya. President Goodluck Jonathan was absent at what would have been his last attendance of the annual event.
The unions, while marching past bore banners with various inscriptions “Free Chibok Girls Now”, “NLC, TUC Say No to Xenophobia” and other messages.
Presidential Message
President Jonathan was represented by Ikenya. In his address to the workers, he called on them to prepare for the challenges posed by the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, which has resulted in a shortfall in the nation’s income and revenue.
“The Trade Unions are urged to brace up to realities within this context as no democracy can be consolidated if the industrial relations atmosphere is in turmoil and riddled with incessant industrial actions,” he said.
He added that the national vision would not be possible without the dedication, commitment, hard work and patriotism of the Nigerian workers, as it is a joint responsibility.
The President also urged the veterans of the labour movement to work with the congresses to address the challenges in its internal structure, in reference to the split, which followed the last Leadership calls for a higher sense of responsibility and maturity and above all, the placement of the interest of the majority over personal interest, he said.
Eulogies for President Jonathan
It was eulogies galore for President Jonathan by the labour movement as he was described as one whose feat in the labour sector is unparalleled by any government before him.
The President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in his address said there were relatively few strikes during Jonathan’s tenure, because he kept his promises to workers.
“Mr. President’s other strong point is his willingness to reverse himself if he found himself in error. Similarly, his interventions, especially in sectoral disputes were transparent and decisive. We take liberty to cite his interventions in the ASUU strike and the threatened national sympathy strike in support of the National Union of Pensioners,” Wabba added.
The NLC President also cited the review of the National Minimum wage from N5500 to N18000 by President Jonathan.
Wabba however appealed for a waiver in respect of an FGN loan to the NLC and TUC to run their mass transit programmes, as has been done by previous administrations.
“We wish him well as he steps down from office with honour. History shall ever remember him as a President with a human heart, and a President who helped deepen our democracy. These are badges he can wear with pride anywhere,” Wabba said.
Wabba recalled that the sorest point in the relationship between the President and the labour movement was when the prices of petroleum products were increased in January 2012, triggering the biggest mass action in Nigeria’s history.
Advice for Incoming government
The labour movement had some words of advice for the incoming government of President-elect General Muhammad Buhari. It cautioned him against attempting to remove the subsidies on fuel and kerosene, saying the movement would resist such.
Adeyemi, at the pre-May Day press conference said several governments have tried to do same, but have met with stiff resistance from the labour movements.
“...and we hope that the incoming government, in its desperate bid to look for money, would not look for money in the wrong places,” he said.
The President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, in his address called on Buhari to look beyond his political platform when selecting his cabinet members.
“As a credible and impartial organisation, the TUC advises that ministers who have performed excellently in the outgoing administration be re-appointed. Let credibility and qualitative performance be the decisive criteria for appointments,” he said.
Kaigama also condemned the flood of cross carpeting by politicians to the APC, with a note of caution that not all the defectors mean well for Nigeria.
“Some of them may be wolves in sheep’s clothing, come to steal, kill and destroy his administration, and Nigerians would not hesitate to register their displeasure at the next polls if he fails to distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly,” he added.
Parallel Factions
The division in the national body of the NLC and in some states of the federation were brought to the fore with the celebration of the 2015 workers day.
The faction of the NLC led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, attempted to hold its workers day celebration at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, but was reportedly barred by the Lagos State Police Command, who also sealed up the stadium. The faction however held its event on the road leading to the stadium.
In Kano state, one faction celebrated the event at the Textile Workers Secretariat, Airport Road, while the other held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Center, Kano. In Edo state, one faction held its celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, while the other faction held the event at the Nigerian Television Authority pavilion, also in Benin.
It was the same situation in Oyo State as one faction held its celebrations at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, while the other held it at the building of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Odo- Ona, Ibadan.
The situation was worse in Abia state where three factions of the NLC are laying claim to its leadership. The faction under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Obigwe held rally at football field of Ibeku High School, Umuahia, while the faction led by Comrade Christopher Uche Ezekiel held its event Urban Primary School, Umuahia. The third factions under the leadership of the former State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sylvania Eye was not able to hold its celebrations at any venue.
The situation led the state government to shun all three invitations.
Urgent Need to Save the NLC
The emergence of factions within the NLC is quickly becoming an embarrassment to the ideals, which the labour movements stand for. The congress urgently needs to enlist neutral and well respected Nigerians to stem the surprising tide where as much as three ‘comrades’ are laying claim to leadership in just one state.