Prior to Saturday’s Presidential election, the Nigeria Labour Congress formally endorsed Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s nominee.
The announcement follows the National Administrative Council of the Congress’ initial meeting on Wednesday.
According to reports that organized labor, which consists of the NLC and Trade Union Congress, had expressed its support for the cause in separate speeches delivered by their presidents at the 10th-anniversary lecture in honor of the late Comrade Pascal Bayau, a labour veteran, in Abuja on June 22, 2022.
The NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, stated during his speech that Mr. Obi is among the best Nigerians and the first LP presidential candidate to be accepted by the Labour Center.
He declared that the NLC will mobilize wholeheartedly to achieve the party’s victory in the general elections of 2023.
The African Democratic Congress also dismantled its infrastructure on Monday to support Obi for president.
The National Secretary of the National Political Commission of the Congress, Chris Uyot, also endorsed Obi’s candidacy in a statement dated Wednesday, February 22, 2023 and headed “The Elections are Here – Support the Labour Party.”
It partly read, “We wish to refer to the resolution of the inaugural meeting of the NAC of the NLC directing workers and indeed all Nigerians to come out en masse to perform their civic duties by voting in the forthcoming elections and taking decisive steps to safeguard their votes.
“The NLC had also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the electoral processes are not only transparent and fair but reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people.
“This is a clarion call to all workers and working people that as we approach the final push towards the forthcoming presidential election come February 25, 2023, we should ensure a massive turnout of votes for the success of the Labour Party in line with an earlier resolution of the National Executive Council.”
The NLC further stated that all members of the Labor Political Committee in each state must work more to encourage workers and Nigerians to support Obi and all LP candidates for the National Assembly at the local, ward, and polling unit levels.
NLC argued that the political committees are also required to collaborate with their supporters in civil society organizations and students to take whatever measures are necessary to protect the public’s votes by ensuring that the electoral process is open, free, and fair.
“To accomplish these significant tasks to save our democracy, all affiliate unions and state Councils of Congress are to give maximum cooperation and support to the political committees to strengthen their work at the state, local government, wards and polling unit levels by ensuring that they provide at least 10 ward coordinators and canvassers to not only mobilise but defend the people’s votes.
“History beckons. This election promises to be the most decisive in our country.
“It offers an opportunity to transform our political, social and economic policy direction to be people’s-oriented as espoused in the Workers Charter of Demands,” the statement added.
