Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the plight of Nigerian workers, stating that they have never faced such dire circumstances due to government policies.
In a message marking International Workers Day on Monday, Atiku lamented the challenging conditions faced by Nigerian workers despite promises of improvement.
“At a time when workers around the world commemorate International Workers Day, it is evident that Nigerian workers are experiencing unprecedented hardship,” Atiku remarked.
The former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election highlighted the failure of the government to fulfill promises of wage increments, leaving workers to grapple with harsh living conditions.
“Despite repeated assurances and promises from the government, the much-anticipated wage increments for Nigerian workers have yet to materialize, leaving workers to endure worsening living conditions with each passing day,” Atiku stated.
His message reads in detail, “After the contraction and contradictions by the government about whether the subsidy regime has gone or it is still being implemented, the country is today facing the angst of frustration by Nigerians who waste precious man-hours in queues at petrol stations across the country.
“The petrol subsidy is purportedly gone; yet its impact lingers – revealing the ineptitude of the current federal government.
“In an unprecedented manner and condescending of both the Nigerian worker and the general public, this current federal government announced a unilateral removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit without consultations with representatives of the Nigerian worker.
“The continued increase in tariffs in different service offerings without addressing the corruption and inefficiencies in the system only amounts to long-suffering Nigerians subsidising the corruption and inefficiencies in the system.
“Since the days of legendary, Pa. Michael Imoudu, to later day fire brands such as Pascal Bafyau and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Nigerian worker has been at the forefront of the fight against tyranny and bad governance.
“No administration in our history has trampled workers’ rights like this one. Daily, workers face uncertainty over skyrocketing prices of essential goods.
“The Nigerian worker has had it so rough under this current administration and it is unfortunate that while the living conditions of the Nigerian worker remains at a miserably low ebb, the Nigerian government continues to regale its international audiences with tales of how the masses are being weaned of their wasteful dependence on government.
“It is thus beginning to appear, that as far as the current federal government is concerned, the management of our country’s micro-economic outlook is an unwieldy laboratory experiment, to which the Nigerian worker is laid prostrate.
“While I cannot but share my sympathy with the Nigerian worker for the way the current government has ridiculed her for far too long, I must equally express my felicitations with the Nigerian worker on this year’s Workers Day.
“It is my hope that the theme of this year’s Labour Day: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work In a Changing Climate, will inspire the Nigerian government to put the concerns of the Nigerian Worker on the front burner.”
Atiku’s remarks underscore the pressing need for meaningful reforms to improve the welfare and livelihoods of Nigerian workers, emphasizing the urgent attention required to address their challenges.