The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has swiftly responded to remarks made by President Bola Tinubu, urging labor unions to refrain from protests until 2027. Tinubu’s comments were delivered during the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line project on Thursday. However, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, emphasized the union’s right to protest and clarified their stance on political involvement.
President Bola Tinubu’s call for labor unions to postpone protests until 2027 has been met with a firm rebuttal from the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, TUC President Festus Osifo dismissed Tinubu’s suggestion, asserting that members of the union are not politicians but unionists with the fundamental right to protest.
Osifo stated, “We are not politicians, we are unionists, it is our right to protest – it is a fundamental right of every single Nigerian.”
Addressing Tinubu’s remarks directly, Osifo highlighted the union’s primary concern: the welfare of its members and the Nigerian populace. He emphasized that the TUC’s focus lies in addressing the fundamental issues that lead to protests and strikes.
Furthermore, Osifo addressed allegations of the TUC betraying the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) by not participating in a recent protest. He clarified that there was no prior agreement or discussion regarding the protest, hence the TUC’s non-involvement cannot be deemed as “opting out” or “selling out.”
Osifo’s remarks echo sentiments expressed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who emphasized the importance of implementing agreements reached between labor unions and the Federal Government regarding fuel subsidy removal.
The TUC’s swift response to President Tinubu’s remarks underscores the union’s commitment to protecting the rights of workers and advocating for their welfare. As the debate over the role of labor unions in governance continues, the TUC remains steadfast in its mission to address the concerns of its members and uphold their fundamental rights.
