The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep concerns over the persistent absence of state governors from their respective states, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of worsening economic conditions.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, lamented that most governors reside permanently in Abuja while governance in their states suffers. The event was part of the union’s effort to distribute and commission 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation challenges for workers in the state.
The town hall meeting provided a platform for workers to voice their grievances and demands, which the NLC leadership pledged to relay to the Kogi State government. However, Ajaero pointed out a worrying trend—during visits to five geopolitical zones, only one governor was present to engage directly with workers, with others reportedly away in Abuja.
Highlighting the economic distress faced by workers, Ajaero criticized the government’s plans to increase tariffs on telecommunications, arguing that such policies further strain workers already grappling with the high cost of living.
“There is a troubling pattern where most governors no longer reside in their states. We have visited five zones, and Kogi is the fifth. Out of these, only one governor has been around to engage with us. This absence is hampering governance and weakening the connection between leadership and the people,” Ajaero remarked.
Kogi State holds a unique significance for the labour movement, given that both the governor, Usman Ododo, and his deputy have backgrounds in union leadership. Ajaero emphasized that the engagement in Kogi served as an opportunity to assess whether the administration aligns with the principles they once advocated.
Additionally, Ajaero condemned the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions under the previous administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, arguing that the move was unconstitutional.
“Union activities fall under the Exclusive Legislative List in the Constitution. No governor has the authority to ban them, as they are registered nationally. Any attempt to do so is both illegal and unacceptable,” he asserted.
Workers in the state raised various issues, including the non-implementation of annual salary increments, lack of housing provisions for workers, and a severe shortage of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools, among others. The NLC vowed to push for redress and ensure workers’ concerns are addressed by the government.
