By Judea Asemota, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has hit back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his recent criticism of trade unions and workers’ welfare in his new book, “Nigeria: Past and Future.”
In a statement issued on Monday by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC reminded Obasanjo of his administration’s harsh treatment of labour leaders, which included arrests, detentions, and even the killing of protesting workers.
The union also recalled Obasanjo’s attempts to proscribe the NLC and establish a parallel labour centre after failing to bring the organisation under his control.
The NLC said, while it acknowledged some of the issues raised by Obasanjo, particularly his statement that the current minimum wage is too low to meet workers’ essential needs. However, the union stood firm on its demand for a N610,000 minimum wage, a proposal that was outrightly rejected by the government and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), who countered with an unjustified offer of N50,000.
Comrade Ajaero explained that this impasse triggered a nationwide strike, which was only called off after President Bola Tinubu stepped in with a revised offer of N70,000. While the NLC accepted this offer to spare workers further hardship, it disclosed that Tinubu had initially floated the idea of a N250,000 wage. However, this was conditional on raising the price of petrol to N2,500 per litre—a move the union opposed to avoid plunging Nigerians into deeper economic distress.
The NLC also pushed back against Obasanjo’s accusation that trade union leaders had neglected workers’ interests. It argued that the denial of workers’ rights was the result of “hostile governments and exploitative employers,” not the actions of union leaders.
Addressing Obasanjo’s claim that a trade union leader once used his position to negotiate a gubernatorial candidacy, the NLC clarified that union leaders, like all citizens, have the constitutional right to pursue political office. It further reminded Obasanjo that the NLC has produced three governors directly from its leadership, with the first instance occurring during his own presidency.
The union recalled that Obasanjo had once accused trade unions of acting like a “parallel government” and had attempted to weaken them by creating a rival labour centre.
The statement read, “We are delighted to have an ally in a personality as distinguished as our former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo rehashed our argument when he writes inter alia, “The minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep”.
“It was reason we asked for N610,000, which we had described as the barest acceptable minimum complete with a breakdown.
“Government, and NECA for inexplicable reasons made a counter offer of N50,000 without an explanation as to how much would go to what,” Ajaero stated.
According to NLC, “This inevitably led to a stalemate in negotiations and ultimately, a strike action which was suspended only after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over negotiations and made the offer of N70,000, a few thousands above the recommended figure by the Minimum Wage Committee.
“Of course, President Tinubu did accept to pay the N250,000 which was our last threshold but subject to raising the pump price of petrol to N2,500 or more per litre.
“Torn between foistering additional hardship on the citizenry and taking the N70,000, we opted for the latter even when we knew N70,000 was inadequate. We had to minimise the pain.”
He said, “There were also some “incentives” around the N70,000. For instance, the minimum wage cycle was reduced from five to three years, meaning that negotiations for a new minimum wage could begin as early as 2026.
“Other incentives included CNG buses for workers; free conversion kits for workers vehicles etc.
“Thus, this is contrary to Chief Obasanjo’s assertion that workers “…have become victims of those meant to protect their interests.”
The statement continues, “Of course, we do agree with Chief Obasanjo that: “Workers need more attention than they are getting. It is their right, and they been denied it for too long”. However, it is important to point out that it is malevolent governments and predatory employers that deny workers these rights and not union leaders.
“In every community, organisation or institution possibility does exist of bad eggs. It is same with trade unions but it is no reason to cast aspersions on most unions as Chief Obasanjo has done. We do not know his motive.
“On our part here, our struggles with government have been in the public domain, right from the unhealthy use of government institutions to harmstring us: from court injuctions, to harassment by the police and other security services, and even to other hideous acts of intimidation and brutalisation of the leadership of the Congress.”
Ajaero stated, “Do you still arrest or beat up people after paying them to keep quiet? There is something amiss here. This “senior government official close to the President” who made this statement should be questioned more closely. In the alternative, he should name names. The social media space is very much available for this kind of operation.
“Chief Obasanjo expressed outrage “…that a trade union leader while in office, was negotiating with a political party to be adopted as a gubernatorial candidate”.
“We would like to let him understand here with all due respect, that the right to political leadership as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is available to trade union leaders. The Supreme Court decision on this is affirmatory!
“The Nigeria Labour Congress has produced three governors straight from office. Incidentally, the first happened in Chief Obasanjo’s presidency,” he explained.
He explained that Chief Obasanjo is worried that “most union leaders are ineffective compared to the founding fathers’ expectations”. Which founding fathers is he talking about here?
“The ones the colonial masters harrassed or the ones he Chief Obasanjo either banned or detained?
“If Chief Obasanjo has noticed an erosion in the powers of the trade unions, he should do a soul search. Who knows, he might find himself culpable right from arrest and detention of union leaders, killing of protesting workers, his national broadcast wherein he accused the unions “of conducting themselves like a parallel government”.
“And above all, his vengeful plan and mission to proscribe the Nigeria Labour Congress. When the plot failed, he created a parallel labour centre. We recall the punishment he meted out to the Parliamentarians like Honourable Obete Obete for not playing his script.
“Given this historical fact, it is uncharitable of Chief Obasanjo to turn on the unions. But then we respect our elders here.
“In summary, governments should stop undermining the unions for their selfish interests,” Ajaero added.
Discussion about this post