Workers, Poor Nigerians Bleeding Under Current Policies – NLC Sends Strong 2027 Warning To Govt.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised the worsening economic and security conditions in the country, accusing the government of implementing policies that have deepened hardship for workers and ordinary Nigerians.

The labour union said millions of citizens are struggling under what it described as anti-people economic policies that have increased poverty, hunger, unemployment and insecurity across the nation.

The NLC made the remarks in its Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Wednesday ahead of the Sallah celebration.

The statement, signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, called on political leaders to reflect on the suffering of ordinary Nigerians and the impact of government decisions on the lives of citizens.

According to the union, governance should prioritise the protection of lives and the welfare of the people through access to food, healthcare, education, decent jobs and security.

The labour body argued that public policies should not be designed to favour profits and elite interests at the expense of the masses.

“As we mark Eid-el-Kabir, a festival of sacrifice and obedience, the NLC reminds all Nigerians that this celebration should be different,” the union stated.

“The working class and the poor majority are bleeding under the weight of neoliberal policies.”

The NLC’s criticism comes amid growing public concerns over the economic consequences of key reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

While the Federal Government has defended the reforms as necessary steps to stabilise the economy and attract investment, many Nigerians continue to battle rising inflation, soaring transportation costs, expensive food items and declining purchasing power.

The labour union also expressed serious concern over the country’s worsening security situation, stating that increasing cases of kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes, herdsmen attacks and urban violence have further worsened living conditions across Nigeria.

“The worsening insecurity that now threatens the existence of our nation, from banditry to kidnapping, from herdsmen bloodshed to urban violence, is a direct indictment of our governance model,” the statement added.

According to the NLC, Nigerians should not be forced to celebrate religious festivals under conditions of fear, hunger and uncertainty while political leaders fail to show urgency in addressing national challenges.

The union accused leaders of consistently demanding sacrifice from citizens without demonstrating accountability, restraint and responsibility in governance.

It stressed that the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir should remind leaders that sacrifice must begin with those entrusted with public office.

“This season demands that our leaders search themselves and decide to work for a Nigeria that will work for the majority and not for the few who occupy high public offices,” the NLC stated.

The labour body maintained that a country where citizens struggle daily to feed their families, access healthcare, secure employment or move freely cannot claim to be serving the interests of the majority.

The union therefore called on leaders at all levels to rethink policies that have weakened workers’ purchasing power and increased hardship for vulnerable citizens.

The NLC also used the opportunity to issue a political warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that workers and poor Nigerians would hold leaders accountable through the ballot box.

According to the union, Nigerians would not forget what it described as broken promises, attacks on peaceful protesters and policies that have impoverished citizens under the justification of economic reforms.

The Congress said the 2027 elections would provide workers, unemployed youths, traders, artisans and vulnerable groups an opportunity to resist policies that have negatively affected their livelihoods.

“We are entering a phase where every vote must be a weapon against hunger, insecurity, and exploitation,” the NLC declared.

The union urged Nigerians to use the Eid-el-Kabir season not only for prayers and celebration, but also for reflection, political awareness and grassroots mobilisation.

It called for the building of a united front among workers and vulnerable citizens to demand a country where governance protects the weak, secures communities and guarantees dignity for all.

The NLC concluded that the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir should inspire justice, compassion, sacrifice and courage among Nigerians, especially at a time when many families are facing severe economic hardship and insecurity.