The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has urged labour leaders across the country to consider seeking political office as a way of influencing policies and improving the welfare of workers.
Ajaero made the call in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, while addressing members of the NLC National Administrative Council during a dinner hosted by Governor Nasir Idris.
The NLC president said the presence of former labour leaders in government had shown that workers could have greater influence when their representatives occupy positions of political authority.
Ajaero described Kebbi as a second home for the labour movement, pointing to the emergence of Governor Nasir Idris as evidence of the impact labour leaders can make beyond trade unionism.
Idris previously served as Deputy National President and Acting President of the NLC before becoming governor of Kebbi State.
According to Ajaero, the governor’s contributions to the labour movement helped strengthen its growth and influence.
The NLC president said the Congress would continue to support opportunities for more former labour leaders to enter political leadership.
He argued that political positions could provide former unionists with a stronger platform to shape government policies and advance the interests of workers.
Ajaero also commended the Kebbi State administration for what he described as its ongoing transformation and assured Governor Idris of the NLC’s continued support.
Ajaero said the labour movement had continued to visit Kebbi because of the peaceful and secure atmosphere he said exists in the state.
He maintained that the NLC would sustain its relationship with the governor and continue visiting the state despite what he described as negative publicity surrounding Kebbi.
The NLC leadership’s latest visit, he said, reflected the strong relationship between the labour movement and the state government.
Responding, Governor Nasir Idris described the NLC leadership as members of his extended family, recalling his years within the labour movement.
He said his experience as a labour leader helped prepare him for the responsibilities that came with political leadership and governance.
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Idris also rejected negative reports about his administration and attributed them to opposition propaganda, insisting that his government had recorded progress across different sectors.
The governor commended the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their cooperation with his administration.
He urged labour leaders to preserve unity and brotherhood among Nigerian workers, stressing that a united labour movement would be better positioned to protect and advance the interests of its members.
Idris further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of civil servants and other workers in Kebbi State.
