President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said dictatorship in any form in Nigeria, attempt to systematically subvert constitutional order by those entrusted with governance, and moves to tax the Nigerian people to death under General Bola Tinubu administration is unacceptable.
He made these remarks during his address at the Sixth Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), held on Friday at the Festival Hotel in Amuwo Odofin, Festac, Lagos.
Ajaero emphasized that the NLC rejects dictatorship in all its forms and urged public officeholders to govern with integrity, honoring their mandates without betraying the trust of the Nigerian people. “We call on political leaders to adhere to democratic principles, respect constitutional boundaries, and prioritize the needs of the working class and the broader population,” he said. He stressed that only through such governance can Nigeria avoid crisis and progress toward justice, equality, and genuine democracy.
He further warned against the concentration of power in the hands of a few and the deliberate weakening of constitutional order by those tasked with upholding it. Ajaero called for vigilance to protect the democratic space from authoritarian tendencies, noting that trade unions and progressive groups must remain steadfast as the voice of the people, holding leaders accountable.
The NLC president underscored the collective duty to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, rooted in an unwavering commitment to the constitution and democratic values. “We must challenge any forces or actions that undermine our democratic institutions and the sovereignty of the people,” he asserted.
Ajaero also fiercely opposed what he described as an attempt to “tax Nigerians to death,” particularly at a time when the National Minimum Wage remains poorly implemented and federal civil servants face arbitrary salary cuts without consultation. “We will not stay silent,” he declared, vowing to resist these measures.
He expressed alarm over the government’s growing tendency to backtrack on agreements with the trade union movement, citing examples such as arbitrary increases in telecom and electricity tariffs and a lack of meaningful dialogue. “This trend is deeply concerning,” Ajaero noted, calling for renewed efforts to ensure accountability and fairness in governance.
