The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused governments at all levels of failing Nigerians through policies it said have deepened poverty, hunger and insecurity across the country.
In its Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful, the labour union said millions of Nigerians were “bleeding under the weight of neoliberal policies,” warning that worsening economic hardship and insecurity have become a serious indictment of the nation’s leadership.
In a statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union urged political leaders to use the Sallah season as a period of reflection and reconsider policies affecting ordinary Nigerians.
According to the NLC, governance should focus on protecting lives and ensuring citizens have access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, education and decent jobs, rather than pursuing policies that favour profit over people.
The union further decried the growing wave of insecurity across the country, including banditry, kidnappings, herdsmen attacks and urban violence, saying many Nigerians can no longer travel safely or sleep peacefully.
“The worsening insecurity that now threatens the existence of our nation is a direct indictment of our governance model,” the statement said.
The labour body also criticised political leaders for allegedly demanding sacrifice from citizens while living in comfort, insisting that those in government must lead by example during difficult times.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the NLC warned that Nigerian workers and the masses would hold political leaders accountable for unfulfilled promises, economic hardship and the suppression of peaceful protests.
The Congress said the 2027 elections must serve as “a moment of reckoning,” urging workers, youths, traders and other citizens to use their votes against candidates and parties it described as anti-people.
The NLC also called on Nigerians to embrace political awareness, grassroots mobilisation and national unity in the fight against hunger, insecurity and exploitation.
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