Governors Missing In Action! NLC Exposes Leaders Prioritizing Abuja Over Their States

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarms over an increasing pattern of state governors abandoning their duties by residing permanently in Abuja, leaving citizens to face economic hardships without effective leadership.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, voiced these concerns during a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State. The gathering coincided with the commissioning of 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses aimed at easing transportation challenges for workers in the state.

Governors’ Absence Hindering Governance

Ajaero expressed frustration over the repeated absence of governors during the NLC leadership’s visits across five geopolitical zones. “We’ve visited five zones, and only one governor has been present. The rest are all in Abuja, and this neglect is severely impacting governance,” he stated.

He emphasized that for democracy to function effectively, leaders must be accessible to their people. “True democracy thrives when leaders are present and responsive. People need to feel the dividends of democracy by having direct access to their governors.”

Ajaero promised to convey the workers’ grievances to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, if he was available. “We’ll relay your concerns to the governor if he’s around. If not, we’ll pass them on to whoever he delegates.”

Kogi’s Special Role in Labour Movement

Highlighting Kogi State’s significance to the NLC, Ajaero noted that both Governor Ododo and his deputy have strong labour roots. Ododo previously served as an NLC official in Niger State, while the deputy governor was affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

“This feels like a homecoming for us. We want to engage with them to see if they’re upholding the standards we expect and addressing the issues we’ve criticized in other states,” Ajaero remarked.

Illegal Ban of Labour Unions in Kogi

Ajaero also condemned the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by the previous administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, labeling it unconstitutional. He asserted that labour issues fall under the Exclusive Legislative List in the Nigerian Constitution, meaning no governor has the authority to ban unions.

“Labour unions are nationally registered by the Registrar of Trade Unions. States don’t have the jurisdiction to ban them. Such actions are illegal and must be reversed,” Ajaero stated.

Workers informed him that unions at Kogi State Polytechnic, Kogi State University, and other colleges had been banned for over a decade.

Workers’ Key Demands

The workers presented several pressing demands, including:

• Implementation of annual salary increments
• Provision of housing for workers
• Addressing severe teacher shortages in primary and junior secondary schools

Ajaero assured the workers that the NLC would champion their cause, urging them to stay resilient in the struggle for their rights.