Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his concern over the difficult situation faced by Nigerian workers under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Atiku, no other administration in the history of the country has disregarded workers’ rights as much as the current one.
He emphasized that workers are constantly dealing with the uncertainty caused by the skyrocketing prices of essential goods, which further worsens their living conditions.
Atiku lamented the fact that while Nigerian workers continue to struggle with low wages and poor living conditions, the government is busy showcasing its efforts to reduce the people’s dependence on government resources to international audiences.
He criticized the government for failing to address the dire situation faced by workers and instead focusing on superficial narratives.
The statement from Atiku comes at a time when Nigerian workers are joining their counterparts worldwide to commemorate International Workers Day.
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In a post on his social media handle, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the last general election, acknowledged the harsh reality that Nigerian workers are currently facing.
Despite the government’s promises and rhetoric, Atiku highlighted that wage increments for Nigerian workers remain elusive. Each day brings new hardships and challenges, making it increasingly difficult for workers to make ends meet.
He also pointed out the confusion surrounding the subsidy regime, with the government contradicting itself on whether it has been abolished or is still in effect.
Atiku further criticized the government for the frustration experienced by Nigerians who waste valuable time waiting in long queues at petrol stations across the country.
Although the government claims that the petrol subsidy has been removed, its impact is still felt, revealing the incompetence of the current administration.
The dire situation faced by Nigerian workers calls for urgent attention and action from the government to improve their living conditions and protect their rights.
The current federal government of Nigeria has made a unilateral decision to remove the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, without consulting the representatives of the Nigerian worker or the general public.
This decision has been met with criticism as it shows a lack of consideration for the Nigerian worker and the challenges they face.
Furthermore, the government’s continuous increase in tariffs across various service offerings without addressing corruption and inefficiencies in the system has only resulted in the Nigerian people bearing the burden of subsidizing these issues.
This has led to a great deal of suffering for the Nigerian population, who already face skyrocketing prices of essential goods on a daily basis.
The Nigerian worker has a long history of fighting against tyranny and bad governance, with notable figures such as Pa. Michael Imoudu, Pascal Bafyau, and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole leading the charge.
However, this current administration has shown a disregard for workers’ rights and has created an environment of uncertainty for workers due to the worsening economic conditions.
It is disheartening to see that while the living conditions of the Nigerian worker continue to deteriorate, the government is busy boasting to international audiences about reducing the people’s dependence on government resources.
This suggests that the government views the management of the country’s economy as an experiment, with the Nigerian worker being the one who suffers the consequences.
While it is important to express sympathy for the Nigerian worker who has been ridiculed by the current government for far too long, it is also crucial to acknowledge and celebrate their resilience on this year’s Workers Day.
The theme of this year’s Labour Day, “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work In a Changing Climate,” should serve as a reminder to the Nigerian government to prioritize the concerns and well-being of the Nigerian worker.
