Date Published: 05/02/09
1st May 2009. Press Release.
LAGOS AC CHARGES LABOUR ON ELECTORAL REFORM.
On the occasion of this year’s workers’ day, the Nigerian Labour Congress has saluted the Nigerian workers for their resilience and candour in surviving in such a difficult country as Nigeria . The party charges them to commit themselves to democratic changes in the entire country so as to maximize the fruits of their labour in their live times.
In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the AC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said it is important that this year’s May Day is coming at a period the country is witnessing a moist shameful and absurd stalemate in the political dispensation, occasioned by the attempt by the PDP to fraudulently manipulate the Ekiti governorship bye-election. The party says the stalemate should make labour devote their enormous energy towards crusading total electoral reform as such is the condition that best ensures labour maximize their benefits as the country’s primary productive force.
“While we salute and identify with labour on their commitment to a free and democratic society in Nigeria , we state that Nigeria has remained stranded in dubious electoral conduct, awful practice of democracy and questionable commitment to the goods of ordinary Nigerians. We know that labour in Nigeria has played very critical roles in promoting the well-being of Nigerians in fighting for their common interests and we believe that their awesome contribution is most needed right now, when Nigeria has been ran into a terrible deadlock.
“Lagos AC notes that life in Nigeria has degenerated as its governance and politics gets worse and labour has been in the forefront of the fight for an improved life for all Nigerians. We salute the undying contributions of such great labour leaders like late Dr. Michael Imoudu, late Chief Mokwugo Okoye, Chief Frank Kokori, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and others who underwent several strictures to ensure that the peoples’ interests are met. We dedicate today to them and urge the present crops of workers to ensure they meet the high standards set by these their forebears.
“At this time, when Nigeria is faced by a deprecatory conduct of its affairs, we believe labour faces greater challenge to ensure we arrest this worrying drift. We charge labour to dedicate their efforts towards ensuring that Nigerian are given the rights to choose whoever governs them in 2011. We urge Nigerian workers to stand up and fight against the tendency to ensure that every election gets worse then the last exercise and what is happening in Ekiti presently should inform them that this is no time to stay on the fence. We charge them to fight, with all might at their disposal for an electoral order in 2011 where every man’s vote will count. This makes it imperative for labour to lead the mobilization for unadulterated electoral reform process because given a credible government emerging from a credible electoral process, labour will fare far more better than in the compromised present.
Once again, we congratulate the Nigerian Labor Congress on this year’s May Day and re-state that it is time for them to rededicate themselves anew to a new Nigeria where credible leaders emerge through free and fair electoral exercise.”
Joe Igbokwe.
Publicity Secretary,
Lagos AC.
