By The two major labour unions in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have pledged their support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi at the general elections next year.
The leadership of both unions, on Tuesday, openly endorsed the presidential bid of the former Anambra State governor.
For NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, Obi is one among the finest Nigerians and the first presidential candidate of the Labour Party to be recognised by the labour centre.
Wabba declared that the NLC is solidly behind the party and will fully mobilise to ensure the victory of the party at the 2023 polls.
He said workers’ unions have realised that strikes and protests alone cannot change the narratives in Nigeria, especially as regards workers’ welfare.
The labour leader added that workers must venture fully into politics “and work hard to support candidates whose mantra will make life better for their members and Nigerians at large”.
Also speaking, the TUC President, Quadri Olaleye noted that Obi is a face among the presidential candidates that all labour unions are pleased and are ready to work with.
Olaleye declared that the entire labour movement has accepted, adopted and will support, and ensure workers massively vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
”The Labour Party is stronger, one and formidable and the party has a widespread structure, as there is a worker and a member of either TUC and NLC in every family across Nigeria,” he said.
Responding to the endorsement, Obi said he visited the labour centres not to campaign but for a courtesy call to honour the organised labour on whose party and interest he is seeking Nigerians’ vote in the 2023 general elections.
The Labour Party presidential candidate noted his commitment to moving Nigeria from consumption to production, adding that this cannot be achieved without labour.
“Labour is the engine of production, capital and machine can do anything but labour is what makes it work. Because labour is the greatest contributor to production, it has to be properly remunerated,” he said.
