The Peoples Redemption Party has criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour unions for their inaction in addressing the country’s economic hardship. In an open letter, the PRP expressed disappointment and frustration with the labour unions’ failure to hold the President Bola Tinubu-led administration accountable.
In the open letter issued on Thursday by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the PRP said the labour unions have shirked their responsibilities of being the bastion of hope and strength for the masses by their inactions which he said are both baffling and disheartening.
The PRP accused the government of implementing policies that have led to widespread suffering, including crippling economic measures and dismantling of vital social supports. The party urged the NLC and labour unions to reclaim their role as champions of the working class and demand accountability.
The letter highlighted the need for concrete actions to challenge the status quo and provide a voice for the voiceless. The PRP called for an end to policies that are exacerbating the suffering of Nigerians.
This development comes after the NLC’s previous protests and rallies against hunger and hardship. However, the PRP’s letter suggests that more needs to be done to address the ongoing struggles faced by Nigerians.
The PRP’s demands include accountability and transparency from the government, concrete actions to challenge the status quo, revitalization of the labour movement, and an end to anti-people policies.
The PRP’s call to action is seen as a wake-up call for labour unions to rise to the occasion and lead with conviction, ensuring that Nigerians’ voices are heard and their struggles addressed.
The letter reads:
“Dear Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Esteemed Labour Union Representatives,
In these critical times, it is with a heavy heart and an overwhelming sense of disappointment that I pen this letter to express the frustrations of countless Nigerians who once looked to you as bastions of hope, strength, and unwavering advocacy for the working class.
“Your inaction in the face of the immense suffering inflicted upon Nigerians by the Federal Government, under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is nothing short of baffling and disheartening.
“As we navigate through these harrowing times, it is increasingly evident that the government has taken a callous approach to the suffering of its citizens. The policies being executed—ranging from crippling economic measures to the dismantling of vital social supports—have left Nigerians vulnerable, deprived of basic necessities, and grappling with the brutal realities of hunger and penury.
“Yet, what do we witness from the so-called protectors of the working class? A deafening silence punctuated only by ineffective verbal complaints that ring hollow in the ears of those who are enduring the consequences of these vicious policies. The hard-working Nigerians who depend on your leadership for protection and advocacy are now questioning your commitment to their welfare.
“The inordinate obeisance displayed by the NLC and other labour unions is glaring. In years past, the NLC and various labour unions were recognized for their bravery and tenacity in championing the rights of workers and other Nigerians at large.
“They were known for initiating strikes that not only addressed minimum wage negotiations but also brought attention to the broader struggles facing the Nigerian populace. Today, however, it appears that the urgency and fervor of those efforts have dissipated, reduced to a mere whisper—a faint echo of what once was.
“The recent campaign for a minimum wage of ₦70,000 is but a cosmetic remedy to a much deeper and systemic disease, rendered pointless by the surging inflation and unsettling anti-people policies that Tinubu administration seems so hell-bent on perpetuating.
“The frustration of the Nigerian people is palpable. We are not merely seeking verbal platitudes or sporadic expressions of discontent; we are yearning for concrete actions that will challenge the status quo.
“Where are the organized strikes, the mobilizations, and the collective efforts to hold the government accountable for its failures? The current administration appears to thrive on a reckless disregard for the plight of the average citizen, riding roughshod over our rights while we watch in collective dismay.
“We, the people of Nigeria, can no longer accept this complacency. Our trust in these institutions has been severely undermined, and we are left grappling with the unfortunate reality that those who should be our allies now seem like mere puppets dancing to the whims of a government that has lost touch with its constituents.
“We need more than words; we need action. We demand a revitalization of the spirit that once characterized the Nigeria Labour Congress—a movement that stands resolutely against the injustices inflicted upon the Nigerian people.
“You have the power to galvanize the masses, to rise up in defiance of systemic injustice, and to provide a voice for the voiceless. Instead, your apparent complacency signals a distressing abandonment of the core values that once defined your mission. Your historical role as advocates for the people has now been reduced to hesitant, ineffective complaints that do little to instigate meaningful change.
“The time for introspection is over, and the moment for action is long overdue. We urge the NLC and all labour unions to reclaim your positions as formidable forces for good and champions of the working class. Stand resolute, unite your voices, and mobilize the power of the people against misguided governmental policies.
“We are counting on you to summon the spirit of solidarity that characterized past struggles, demanding accountability and transparency in governance and an end to the policies that are wreaking havoc on our lives.
“Finally, I implore you to reflect deeply on the current state of our nation and your role within it. The time for passive complaint has long passed. Do not let the echoes of our suffering fall on deaf ears. The people of Nigeria are depending on you to rise to the occasion, to lead us with conviction, and to once again become the advocates we have so desperately needed during these trying times.”
