The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised governments at all levels over worsening hardship, insecurity, and poverty in the country, accusing leaders of failing ordinary Nigerians through poor policy decisions.
The labour union made the remarks in its Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims across Nigeria and around the world.
In a statement issued by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union said millions of Nigerians are currently suffering under what it described as harsh economic policies that have increased hunger and hardship across the country.
According to the NLC, many workers and low-income citizens are struggling to survive as the cost of living continues to rise.
“The working class and the poor majority are bleeding under the weight of neoliberal policies,” the statement said.
The labour union urged political leaders to use the Eid-el-Kabir season as a time for reflection and self-examination over the impact of their policies on citizens.
The NLC stressed that governance should focus on protecting lives, improving living conditions, and providing essential needs such as food, healthcare, shelter, education, and decent jobs.
The union also raised serious concerns over insecurity across the country, linking rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, violent attacks, and killings to failures in governance.
“The worsening insecurity threatening the nation is a direct indictment of our governance model,” Ajaero stated.
According to the labour body, many Nigerians now live in fear and can no longer travel freely or sleep peacefully because of insecurity.
The NLC further accused some political leaders of demanding sacrifice from citizens while allegedly living comfortably and ignoring the suffering of ordinary people.
The union warned that Nigerians, especially workers and youths, would remember the current economic hardship and insecurity as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
“2027 must not be another theatre of elite-managed deception,” the statement added.
The labour union called on Nigerians to become more politically conscious and use their votes wisely during future elections.
It also urged citizens to unite against hunger, poverty, exploitation, and policies that negatively affect the masses.
The NLC maintained that the labour movement would continue speaking out against policies it considers harmful to Nigerian workers and vulnerable citizens.
The message has sparked reactions online as many Nigerians continue to express frustration over rising living costs and insecurity in different parts of the country.
Source: Eid-el-Kabir message by Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero.
