NLC Slams FG Over Rising Poverty, Insecurity, and “Deliberate Sabotage” of Local Governance
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a damning indictment of the Federal Government’s handling of the country’s economic and security crises, warning that millions of Nigerians are being trapped in multidimensional poverty as inflation soars and insecurity worsens.
In a strongly worded communiqué released at the end of a joint meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the NLC accused government officials of political lethargy, economic mismanagement, and deliberate sabotage of local governance structures.
Signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the document reflects deep frustration with what the union described as the FG’s failure to protect workers, stabilise the economy, and secure the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
“Workers and their families are being crushed by the weight of persistent inflation, soaring food prices, and exorbitant transport costs,” the statement read. “The erosion of real wages and purchasing power has turned the average Nigerian worker into an economic refugee in their own country.”
A Country in Crisis
The NLC cited alarming poverty levels and rising inequality as key indicators that Nigeria is sliding into deeper socioeconomic turmoil, even as officials in Abuja continue to tout “economic reforms” that have produced little relief on the ground.
Of particular concern is the worsening security situation, with the union referencing “nearly 700,000 lives reportedly lost to violence and insecurity in the past year” a staggering statistic more fitting of a war-torn nation than a democratic republic.
“When farmers can no longer access their land, famine becomes inevitable,” the NLC warned. “The high cost of food is not just about inflation or subsidies it’s a direct consequence of widespread violence, state failure, and lawlessness.”
The NLC demanded coordinated and immediate action from the Federal Government and security agencies, noting that mere rhetoric and repeated promises are no longer acceptable in the face of daily killings, mass displacement, and the collapse of public trust in governance.
Osun Local Government Crisis: A Constitutional Abuse?
The union also sharply criticised the withholding of local government allocations in Osun State, describing the actions of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a gross violation of constitutional provisions.
The NLC accused these institutions of colluding to undermine democratically elected local councils by blocking statutory disbursements to recognised local governments in Osun.
“This is not just illegal it is a dangerous politicisation of local government autonomy,” the communiqué read. “It represents an open assault on democracy and a betrayal of the constitutional order.”
The union called for the immediate and unconditional release of all funds due to local governments in Osun and demanded a retraction of all unlawful directives issued to financial institutions.
It warned that failure to comply within a reasonable timeframe would compel the labour movement to initiate nationwide actions to protect the rights of workers and defend the rule of law.
A System on the Brink
With inflation surging, food insecurity worsening, and widespread disillusionment among workers, the NLC’s communiqué paints a grim portrait of a nation paralysed by elite indifference and systemic dysfunction.
Critics argue that while government officials continue to enjoy the privileges of office, ordinary Nigerians face deteriorating living conditions, inadequate public services, and a sense of abandonment.
As political attention begins to shift toward the 2027 general elections, labour leaders are warning that ignoring these realities will not only deepen the suffering of the masses but also erode what remains of public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“The time for empty promises is over,” the NLC declared. “We will no longer remain silent while the welfare of Nigerian workers is sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and administrative impunity.”
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NLC Slams FG Over Rising Poverty, Insecurity, and “Deliberate Sabotage” of Local Governance