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Bimbola Oyesola
Organised labour has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election, this is even as the body has set agenda for the President in his second tenure.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ( NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), in separate letters to the President, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising a peaceful election and urged Buhari and any aggrieved party at the just-concluded election to put the interest of the nation first.
The NLC equally congratulated other candidates for their participation and advised them to accept the outcome of the election, and adheree to the peace accord they signed before the election.
NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, noted that Buhari’s victory was significant, being the second person to get re-elected since the return to civilian rule 20 years ago.
He said, “The electioneering, although bitterly fought and the election itself keenly contested, we urge the President-elect and any aggrieved party to put first the interest of the nation. We reiterate that no candidate’s victory or loss is worth the life or property of anyone.
“Mr. President won in 2015 on his campaign promise to fight corruption, restore security and grow the economy. From his re-election, this may have boded well with the greater majority of the people who voted for him.
“Nonetheless, his re-election avails him a great opportunity to reflect on and re-assess this vision, strategy and implementation as well as enables him to complete pending projects and initiate new ones where feasible.”
Wabba said NLC would work with the social partners, government and organised private sector to ensure Nigerians, especially workers, get dividends of democracy.
He vowed that worker-pensioner issues, especially salaries, pensions and welfare, would continue to dominate labour’s engagement with government.
He said, “We commend INEC for organising the elections in spite of the initial glitches. It should speedily correct the lapses identified so far in order for it to conduct more credible elections in the future.
“Finally, our most profound commendation goes to the millions of Nigerians who defied all odds to perform their civic duty.”
While expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, Wabba demanded that the culprits be brought to book in accordance with the nation’s laws.
The TUC, in its letter signed by its president, Boboi Bala Kaigama, said Buhari’s victory was an eloquent testimony to the fact that Nigerians believe in him and have resolved to be taken to the “Next Level.”
The letter read, “It was a keenly contested election, but we are glad that we attained virtually non-violent solution that has been applauded by many. We have no iota of doubt this victory would afford you the opportunity to consolidate on the socio-economic progress you have commenced in the past four years.”
TUC, however, said that there was no loser in the election as Nigerans were not in a war, “We are brothers and sisters. As such, we appeal to you to be magnanimous in victory; embrace everyone irrespective of party affiliations, bring in good hands from across the parties to build a country we shall all be proud of.”
NUPENG and PENGASSAN, pledged their commitment in continuing to cooperate and work assiduously with the Buhari’s government during his second term.
