We’ll only support governorship candidate that’ll meet our demands, NLC tells aspirants

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, said that the congress and all workers in the state would only support governorship candidates that will agree to resolve their demands as contained in a 5-points charter.

The Chairperson of the NLC in the state, Comrade Sunny James said this in his address during the 2022 workers’ day celebration in Uyo.

Our correspondent reports that the 2022 International Workers’ Day is commemorated with the theme: “Labour, Politics and Quest for Good Governance and Development in Nigeria.”

James said the union would invite all governorship candidates to the Labour House after their primaries to deliberate on items that will bring good governance to the Akwa Ibom people.

He said that the Congress of the union has agreed that workers and their families will only support candidates that will improve the living wages and prioritise workers’ welfare come 2023.

He listed the items on the charter to include; living wage and prioritisation of workers’ welfare, education, healthcare, industrialisation of the state economy and physical security, social protection and good governance.

“A few days ago, as part of the activities to mark 2022 Workers’ Day, Organised Labour in the State held a Workers’ Political Conference with a major Agenda of unveiling the Charter of Demands to the public as our expectations from the upcoming or would-be leaders in our State.

“The conference resolved to invite all flag-bearers of Political Parties after the primaries to Labour House for adequate engagement on our Charter, in order to deliberate and exchange their manifestoes and establish time-lines on all items which will bring the needed good governance to our people.

“It was also agreed that only the Candidate that honour our Invitations and agreed with workers to resolve issues as contained in our 5-points Charter, shall be supported together with our families during the elections of 2023. No longer shall workers sit on the fence,” James said.

The state labour leader urged Gov Udom Emmanuel to assent to all pending and sensitive bills that had been passed by the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly without further delay.

According to him, the bills include; the Youths Development Fund Bill and the Bill Establishing Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology, among others.

The union further called on the state governor to liaise with relevant agencies and commence the full implementation of financial autonomy of the Local Government, Judiciary and the Legislature in the state.

Gov Udom Emmanuel in his remarks, commended labour for their support and resilience to enhance the development of the state.

Emmanuel, who was represented by the deputy governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, said that without the collaboration of workers the state government would not have achieved giant strides so far.

He said that the state would continue to place issues concerning workers’ welfare as important for continuous harmony in the state.

“On behalf of the Government, I commend Nigeria Labour Congress and workers for the industrial harmony in the state. The giant strides we have recorded would not have been possible without you,” Emmanuel said. 

In his goodwill message, Sen. Ita Enang urged workers to support the candidate that will take workers’ welfare as a priority.

Enang urged Akwa Ibom workers to support his governorship ambition as someone who has the interest of the downtrodden at heart.

“I have come to tell you that the time of workers’ lamentation is over. I treasure the workers because they greatest resource of production,” Enang said.

In his goodwill message, Mr Onofiok Luke, a member representing Etinan federal constituency in the National Assembly thanked the workers for their resilience in these trying times.

Luke called on workers to join hands with him to ensure victory come 2023 to build and grow Akwa Ibom state, stressing that he is the best for the workers.