The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has charged both the Federal Government and state governors with suppressing dissent, undermining democratic systems, and illegally taking funds contributed by workers an act it called “stealing workers’ sweat.”
NLC President Joe Ajaero made these statements in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Monday, the 21st of July, 2025, during the opening of the 21st Rain School of the union. He warned that Nigeria was veering dangerously close to authoritarian rule.
Ajaero argued that although Nigeria claims to be a democracy, the rights of citizens particularly workers to speak freely, assemble, and engage in governance were under attack.
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He said the growing restrictions on civic and union freedoms appeared to be a deliberate move to mute labour voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Governance has been abandoned for 2027 politicking. Leaders who should be working to alleviate suffering are instead consumed by power games, leaving workers and ordinary Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship and mounting insecurity, all imposed by their policies,” he said.