Hardship in Nigeria: TUC dares Tinubu, vows to protest

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has responded to remarks made by President Bola Tinubu, where he advised labor unions to suspend their protests and instead engage in the political process by 2027. Tinubu made these statements on Thursday during the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line project in Lagos.

In his address, Tinubu stated, “The labor union should understand that no matter how much we cling to our freedom and rights… to call for a strike within nine months of an administration is unacceptable.”

He further added, “If you want to participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027. If not, maintain peace; you are not the only voice of Nigerians.”

Reacting to the President’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, reiterated that members of his union are not politicians and emphasized their right to protest.

Osifo stated, “I listened to that comment yesterday where he said that we should wait for 2027 if we want to contest for elections. I could speak for Trade Union Congress, we are not politicians, we are unionists, it is our right to protest – it is a fundamental right of every single Nigerian.

“So we don’t have issues with protests, when need be, people will exercise their rights and people must protest. In terms of waiting until 2027 to enter into politics, I don’t think that is something we could dabble into because I, as an individual, am not a card-carrying member of any political party.

“What I am interested in is the welfare of my members and indeed the entire Nigerian masses. So, what the president said, for me, is alien to us because the right to protest and the right to strike belong to the workers.

“There are conditions precedent; the fact that you are going on a protest or strike means that there are underlying issues that must be addressed.”