Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over the contemporary state of the labour movement, saying the political class in Nigeria is gradually taking over its leadership.
Okeke Anya, the programme manager for CISLAC, made the comment in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day anniversary. He noted that the once-vibrant labour movement no longer holds the government accountable or demands that policies be made in the interest of citizens, as it did in the early days of the country’s democratic experience. Instead, he observed that labour increasingly follows government policies without questioning them, even when such policies are not people-friendly.
Anya further accused the labour movement of poor communications with citizens and suggested that engagement without enlightenment could not amount to democracy. “The absence of communication of what those engagements are calls to questioning as to whether this is just an exercise. Also, at the end of the day, it comes up to say it has agreed with the government, and we continue the way we are,” he explained.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) also stated that Nigeria’s democracy should be encouraged and protected against the harsh reality of anti-people policy that generates a high cost of living and suffering.
The democracy day is celebrated on June 12 in honour of Late Chief M.K.O Abiola, who emerged the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He died while in detention for alleged treason.
