Organised labour in the country, made up of the affiliate unions of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) practically shut down the nation’s capital for about five hours on Thursday when they marched on the streets of Abuja in support of the anti corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
There was however a mild drama at the first gate to the National Assembly as security agents stationed there locked the gates, preventing labour and civil society organisations from gaining access the Assembly to deliver their protest letters.
The angry workers who were kept at the first gate to the National Assembly for about 10 minutes threatened to pull down the gates if they are not allowed access into the National Assembly.
They were eventually allowed access when it was obvious that they were ready to pull down the gates.
The workers and civil society organisations who began their match at the Unity Fountain took the campaign to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions.
Some of the placards read: “Payment of workers’ salaries is non –negotiable,” “Stop corruption, Nigeria can create million of jobs alone in agriculture,” “Invest in agriculture today, corruption had damaged our communication sector,” “Stop it, recover our monies in the hands of past leaders now,” “Corruption has increased poverty, fight it now,” and “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us,” among others.
Addressing the workers, the SGF, David Babachir Lawal, commend labour for supporting the Buhari’s administration in its quest to make corruption a thing of the past in the country, assuring that the government will not fail Nigerians in the fight against corruption.
The SGF said the Buhari government considers organised labour as partners in the development of the country and not enemies, pointing out that with the workers supporting the government fight against corruption, the fight is almost won.