The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised a red flag, warning that the country is sliding dangerously towards authoritarian rule as the democratic space continues to shrink and workers’ rights come under sustained assault. NLC President Joe Ajaero made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 21st Rain School of the NLC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ajaero lamented that Nigeria’s democratic space is under siege, with citizens, especially the working class, facing an assault on their rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in governance. He alleged that the federal government and state governors are systematically crushing dissent, weakening democratic institutions, and unlawfully seizing workers’ contributions.
Warning Signs of Authoritarianism
The labour leader highlighted the inverse relationship between the abuse of human and workers’ rights and the state of a nation’s democratic space.
As the democratic space expands, abuse of human and workers’ rights contracts decreases—but as the democratic space shrinks, abuse of rights expands,” he said, emphasising that a shrinking democratic space is a threat to workers, the masses, and the nation.
Condemnation of Edo State Governor
Ajaero also condemned Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his comments against Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and alleged that the governor factionalised the NLC in Edo State to have loyal members on his side.
“If he can invade the NLC Secretariat and attempt to create a parallel NLC structure in the state, despite all entreaties, then he is capable of threatening any Nigerian citizen without a second thought,” Ajaero said.
The NLC President urged the congress to defend the democratic space that allows them to fight for workers’ rights, warning that if encroachments on democratic rights go unchallenged, it would normalise a reality where the government picks and chooses who enjoys constitutional rights.
