…Call for Constructive Engagement, Political Neutrality and Greater Focus on Workers’ Welfare
Two public affairs commentators, Ngozi Amah-Okezie of Port Harcourt and Kingsley Imeh of Benin City, have criticised recent comments attributed to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, accusing him of adopting a politically charged posture in his criticism of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The commentators, in separate reactions made available to newsmen, including Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), said Ajaero’s reported remarks during a trending podcast, in which he allegedly portrayed the Tinubu administration as “aloof” and disengaged from organised labour, could undermine public confidence in the labour movement if such statements were perceived as partisan political interventions.
They argued that while organised labour has a legitimate responsibility to challenge government policies that adversely affect workers, such advocacy must remain firmly anchored on workers’ welfare, evidence-based policy positions and constructive engagement rather than partisan political narratives.
According to them, portraying the Federal Government as completely disconnected from organised labour fails to adequately reflect the various engagements that have taken place between government institutions, employers and labour organisations on issues including wages, employment conditions, industrial relations and broader economic challenges.
The commentators further warned that the approach adopted by labour leaders during the period leading to the 2027 general elections would be closely scrutinised by Nigerians, stressing that the NLC must maintain sufficient institutional independence to avoid being perceived as an instrument of opposition politics.
Labour’s Mandate Must Remain Workers-Centred
Amah-Okezie, a writer and policy analyst based in Port Harcourt, said organised labour should be judged primarily by its ability to secure concrete improvements in the lives of Nigerian workers.
In her view, the NLC should concentrate its energy on issues such as the implementation of minimum wage agreements, payment of salaries and pensions, workplace safety, improved working conditions, transportation challenges and food-security measures.
She argued that repeated threats of industrial action, inflammatory public statements and confrontational exchanges with government could unnecessarily heighten political tensions and weaken the ability of labour leaders to negotiate effectively.
She said the NLC should utilise established tripartite mechanisms involving government, employers and labour unions, rather than allowing disagreements over policy or communication to become prolonged public confrontations.
Amah-Okezie also called for greater political neutrality, noting that organised labour must be capable of engaging constructively with whichever political party or administration is in power.
She maintained that labour’s independence is best protected when its positions are driven by workers’ interests and measurable socio-economic realities rather than partisan considerations.
Four Priorities for Organised Labour
Amah-Okezie identified four areas she believes should receive greater attention from the NLC.
First, prioritising tangible socio-economic deliverables. She said labour leadership should focus on securing measurable outcomes relating to wages, pensions, workplace safety, transportation costs, food affordability and other issues directly affecting workers.
Second, institutionalising dialogue. She advocated stronger use of formal government-labour engagement structures, joint committees and established industrial-relations mechanisms, arguing that sustained dialogue is more likely to produce lasting solutions than public ultimatums.
Third, protecting political neutrality. She urged labour leaders to maintain a clear distinction between legitimate trade union activism and partisan political agitation, particularly as the 2027 elections approach.
Fourth, advancing data-driven policy alternatives. She said labour should complement its opposition to policies it considers harmful with practical and economically sustainable alternatives on issues such as energy pricing, inflation, taxation, transportation and other areas affecting household incomes.
Imeh: Labour Must Not Become an Extension of Opposition Politics
Similarly, Kingsley Imeh, a social commentator and media executive based in Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, described Ajaero’s reported allegations against the Tinubu administration as “misguided” and potentially damaging to the image of organised labour.
Imeh argued that claims suggesting the Federal Government has simply ignored or disengaged from organised labour should be subjected to the broader context of government-labour interactions and interventions on issues affecting Nigerian workers.
He pointed specifically to the role of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in labour-related negotiations and interventions, particularly around minimum wage and other employment-related matters.
According to him, disagreements between government and labour are normal within a democratic system, but such disagreements should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of complete disengagement or hostility.
Imeh cautioned that presenting every disagreement through an intensely political lens could create the impression that the NLC is positioning itself against the government for reasons beyond the immediate interests of workers.
He said this would be particularly concerning as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
“Genuine Labour Activism Must Remain Distinct From Partisan Agitation”
Imeh stressed that the NLC, as one of Nigeria’s most important labour institutions, must preserve its credibility by maintaining a clear distinction between trade union activism and partisan politics.
He said workers expect their representatives to fight for better wages, safer workplaces, improved living conditions and stronger social protection, rather than becoming embroiled in political battles between competing parties.
He also warned against language that could unnecessarily heighten political tension or create instability in an economy already undergoing significant structural adjustments.
According to him, Nigeria needs a labour movement that is “patriotic, empathetic and forward-looking” and capable of challenging government policies while simultaneously offering credible alternatives.
Strike Threats and Public Confrontations
Both commentators expressed concern about what they described as an overreliance on strike threats and public confrontations as instruments of labour negotiation.
They acknowledged that industrial action remains a legitimate tool available to organised labour when negotiations fail, but maintained that it should be deployed judiciously and only after meaningful dialogue and established dispute-resolution mechanisms have been exhausted.
They argued that frequent threats of industrial action can have unintended consequences for workers, businesses and the wider economy, particularly when they disrupt transportation, commerce, public services and other essential activities.
Rather than escalating every disagreement into a public confrontation, they urged labour leaders to strengthen negotiation structures and pursue solutions that can be monitored and implemented.
The 2027 Political Season
The commentators also raised concerns about the increasingly political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They stressed that organised labour has the right to scrutinise government policies and demand accountability regardless of which political party controls the government, but warned that the NLC must avoid creating the perception that it has become aligned with any political camp.
They maintained that labour’s credibility depends on its ability to criticise both government and opposition whenever their policies or actions conflict with workers’ interests.
For them, political neutrality does not mean silence or unwillingness to criticise government. Rather, it means ensuring that criticism is based on facts, policy outcomes and the welfare of workers rather than partisan calculations.
A Call for Recalibration
The commentators therefore called on the NLC leadership under Ajaero to recalibrate its communication and engagement strategy by placing greater emphasis on negotiation, policy advocacy, evidence-based criticism and measurable outcomes.
They said the labour movement should seize the opportunity presented by Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms to develop detailed proposals that address inflation, purchasing power, transportation costs, energy prices, employment, social protection and workplace conditions.
They further urged government and organised labour to strengthen existing channels of communication and establish clear timelines for resolving outstanding labour issues.
According to them, Nigerians do not benefit when government and labour remain locked in perpetual confrontation. What workers need are functional institutions, predictable wages, secure pensions, safe workplaces, affordable transportation and an economy capable of generating sustainable employment.
Ultimately, they argued, the strength of organised labour should not be measured by the number of strikes it threatens or the intensity of its public rhetoric, but by its ability to secure sustainable improvements in the lives of Nigerian workers.
As the country approaches another politically sensitive period, the commentators said the NLC must remain independent, constructive and firmly focused on its constitutional responsibility to defend workers’ rights and promote their welfare.
They maintained that Nigeria needs a labour movement capable of holding government accountable without becoming partisan; challenging unpopular policies without destabilising the economy; and negotiating firmly without abandoning dialogue.
They urged the NLC to place workers—not political parties or electoral calculations—at the centre of its advocacy and to ensure that its actions continue to command the confidence of the Nigerian workforce and the wider public.
Ngozi Amah-Okezie is a writer and policy analyst based in Port Harcourt.
Kingsley Imeh is a social commentator and media executive based in Oredo LGA, Benin City.
