NLC warns against election rigging, pledges to protect votes

Joins pro-democracy coalition to strengthen governance

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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned against any attempt to manipulate future elections, declaring that Nigerian workers and citizens will resist efforts to undermine the democratic process and ensure that votes count.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) in Abuja on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Congress was committed to promoting credible elections and supporting candidates capable of addressing the country’s numerous challenges.

Ajaero, who was represented by a senior labour leader, Denja Yakub, at the event, said the labour movement would mobilise workers across the country to participate actively in the electoral process and defend the sanctity of their votes.

“We will vote, we will protect our vote, and when they want to shortchange us, we will fight. That’s when they will know that we still have blood to fight,” he said.

He stressed that the NLC would not stand by while electoral outcomes are manipulated, noting that credible elections remain critical to achieving good governance and national development.

The labour leader also expressed concern over the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity in the country, saying many Nigerians had yet to experience the promised improvements in their living conditions.

According to him, rising inflation, unemployment and insecurity continue to place enormous pressure on citizens, with many university graduates now turning to commercial motorcycle riding and Point of Sale (POS) businesses for survival.

Ajaero disclosed that the NLC and its civil society allies were preparing to intensify advocacy and protests aimed at drawing attention to the worsening hardship and insecurity across the country.

He said the planned actions would seek concrete measures from government authorities to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges affecting Nigerians.

Also speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of the Accord Party in the 2023 election, Gbenga Hashim, said the newly launched Movement for Democratic Renewal was established to strengthen democratic institutions and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

Hashim said the movement would serve as a broad coalition of labour leaders, politicians, civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates committed to advancing democratic values and good governance.

According to him, the partnership between the MDR and organised labour is aimed at promoting electoral transparency and ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy delivers improved welfare and security for citizens.

“If the electoral system is not transparent, it will continue to produce the worst in us and keep away the best in us from political leadership,” he said.

Hashim added that the movement would pursue its objectives through peaceful advocacy, public enlightenment, policy engagement and coalition-building to foster a more inclusive, prosperous and democratic Nigeria.