We hereby commend the leadership of the National Assembly, in particular the Senate for reportedly setting up 18-member committee to review legislators pay in line with economic realities of the country as well as draw up legislative agenda.

With this singular legislative act the 8th National Assembly has shown a commendable sensitivity in listening to the aspirations and concern of Nigerians as articulated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under our leadership.

We will partner with the leadership of the National Assembly to evolve a sustainable legislative agenda. In particular, we will support the national assembly to ensure legislations that will reindustrialize the country, promote productivity and generate wealth and prosperity.

Some areas begging for critical legislations are petroleum industry bill (PIB), industry patronage bill, power sector reforms and other extant laws to reposition critical government parastatals such as Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) among others.

COMMEND PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR REMOVING MILITARY ON THE ROAD
We hereby commend President Muhammadu Buhari for redirecting the energy of the military from internal to external security challenge. The removal of the military on the roads will facilitate movement of goods and people. Economic security of citizens is as important as the physical security.

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase must however make sure his men and women do not turn check points to extortion centre.

NIGERIANS BEWARE OF SWEET HEART TRADE UNIONISTS
We hereby warn the public, employers of labour, federal and state governments to beware of sweet-heart unionists and election riggers masquerading as the leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), when indeed they are agents of some sections of government.

The self-acclaimed President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba has just issued a silly unprovoked and prejudiced statement claiming we do not speak for the Congress. After he had dragged affiliate union members to court over NLC delegates election, Ayuba in utter disregard of court process criminally declare legitimate union leaders imposters. He certainly wanted to once again rig the court process as he criminally rigged the failed 11th delegates Conference.

ASSURANCE
We hereby assure all our members and progressive allies in civil society that we are not distracted by sponsored attack to silence the voices of the organized labour. Ayuba Wabba’s dubious statement came on the heel of the legitimate popular demand of the NLC that legislators reduce their pay to reflect the national mood for sacrifices. It is therefore self-evident that so-called President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba has once again put the NLC at the service of some government officials (which put them in office in the first instance!) instead of the working people who pay union dues to the NLC.

LABOUR LEADERS, NOT LABOUR DEALERS
Nigerians must know the difference between genuine labour leaders and labour dealers. What is at stake today in Nigeria is non-payment of legitimate earnings of workers in a number of states and some federal establishment and the indulgences of some elected officials that have collapsed the economy as rightly acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari. Genuine trade unionists and patriots are right to call on all elected officials at federal and states levels to face up to the challenge of governance. Only counterfeit trading unionists (not trade unionists) such as Ayuba Wabba would “disclaim” genuine voices of the working people of Nigeria.

Issa Aremu, mni
DEPUTY PRESIDENT, NLC