2023:  Tinubu woos labour leaders, says we’re co-travellers

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu says he will work with the organised labour to address the challenges workers are facing in the country.

 Tinubu made this promise at a town hall meeting with Organised Labour in Abuja as part of his campaign programme ahead of the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria.

He said due to his performance in turning Lagos state to the 5th largest economy in Africa when he was the governor, he is the best candidate to become Nigeria’s President.

The APC Presidential Candidate said he understands the importance of organised labour in the society because he is a progressive democrat who has been in the forefront of fighting the government for good governance all his life.

“In my worldview, government has a cardinal responsibility to work not only with business but also with labour to ensure that all constituent parts of our society are afforded their fair share of rewards without taking on undue hardship.

“As Organised Labour, you have been at the forefront of the workers’ rights movement in Nigeria, championing economic fairness and the welfare of the average person, the weak and the forgotten.

“You have also been involved in the struggle for democracy and political rights. Your collective efforts breathe life into the democratic rights and economic ideals enshrined in our constitution.

“I can speak fondly of your impact on our nation because of my personal history on the frontlines of the social justice movement,” Tinubu said.

He promised to foster a closer partnership with Organised Labour where dialogue on major policy issues and cooperation would be the norm.

On his plans if elected, the APC Presidential flagbearer said his administration would make the fiscal and monetary policies work for the workers and Nigerians so they can have a good life.

He also said he would ensure the nation was massively industrialised to give more people better paying jobs, while also opening doors to more emerging sectors younger ones can harness.

“My Action Plan for a Better Nigeria, sets out a vision of opportunity, social justice and prosperity for all. I seek a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages give people the chance to live better lives. Where the private sector thrives, we will not disrupt it. However, where the private sector cannot do it alone, my government will take the lead in lending a helping hand.

“For young Nigerians, my goal will be to open the doors wide to emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entertainment and culture, and tourism. Specific policies will empower women and young people to become more active in our nation’s leadership.

“Our industrial policy will help Nigerian businesses manufacture, create, and invent more of the goods and services we require and to export more of those products across the globe. We will modernise and expand public infrastructure to create jobs, develop skills and spur rapid growth across all economic sectors, giving real opportunity to those who previously only dreamed of it.”

 Tinubu further promised to strengthen the security architecture of the country to bring an end to all forms of violent extremism and bring police closer to the people.

Speaking, Deputy Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, noted that Tinubu’s Action Plan will bring back dead industries like Kaduna Textile that once employed over 4000 workers.

Oshiomhole advised the labour movement and civil society to elect a President based on who has social and economic policies that will make life better for the working families in Nigeria.

The President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba presented the workers’ charter of demands which included a total war on corruption.

According to him, corruption has almost destroyed the social and economic fabrics of Nigeria across the private and public sectors and a reason the country is not making desired progress.

“In Nigeria, our problem is people problem and we must have a government that will prioritise the fight against corruption. This is a key demand of Labour. We also need government that will make social and economic justice a priority,” Wabba said.

The session, had in attendance Labour leaders from the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress among others.

Comrades Ayuba Wabba and Festus Osifo led the two Labour associations to the event.

Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara) as well as Hon James Faleke, Secretary of the Campaign Council, and other APC leaders attended the interactive session.