Organised labour in Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse what it calls the unconstitutional suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, allegedly done through a state of emergency declaration.
This call was made on Wednesday, May 1, during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, where the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, presented a unified front.
The labour leaders expressed strong disapproval of actions they believe are shrinking the civic space in Nigeria. They asked both federal and state governments to respect democratic institutions and allow freedom of expression and participation to thrive.
Among several Labour demands from Tinubu was the immediate withdrawal of proposed tax bills currently before the National Assembly. The unions argue that the new tax policies were drafted without input from Nigerian workers and would only add more economic pressure on them while giving big corporations a free pass.
Read Also: Workers Day:N70,000 Minimum Wage No Longer Enough Amid Soaring Inflation
“These bills are unjust and must be withdrawn,” the labour leaders said, calling for inclusive policy-making where workers’ voices are heard.
The unions also raised alarm over the rising insecurity and called on the government to put an end to what they described as widespread killings and bloodshed across the country. They emphasized that protecting the lives and property of Nigerians should be the government’s top priority.
On economic matters, the labour movement rejected the recent hike in telecommunication tariffs, demanding an immediate reduction from 50 percent to 35 percent. They also called for salary increases in line with the country’s current inflation, along with the full payment of all outstanding allowances, pensions, and gratuities.
The unions further demanded the restoration of gratuity payments, upward review of retirement age, and automatic pension adjustments to reflect inflation trends.
Reiterating the Labour demands from Tinubu, the unions stressed that real democracy means listening to the people, and urged the government to act quickly to ease the economic burden on Nigerian workers.
