On Tuesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed alarm over the worsening living conditions and hardships faced by Nigerian workers under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

“As we join our global counterparts in celebrating International Workers’ Day, it is a sobering truth that the plight of the Nigerian worker remains dire,” Abubakar said in a message to Nigerian workers.

Despite government promises, Abubakar noted, “the much-talked-about wage increment remains a mirage. Every day brings renewed hardships and harsh living conditions.”

He criticized the government’s handling of the petrol subsidy, stating that its removal has led to long queues at gas stations and increased frustration among Nigerians. He also condemned the government’s “unilateral removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit without consultations with representatives of the Nigerian worker.”

Abubakar further highlighted the increase in tariffs across various services, which he attributed to systemic corruption and inefficiencies. “Nigerians are essentially subsidizing the corruption and inefficiencies in the system,” he said.

He praised the historical role of Nigerian workers in fighting for justice and against bad governance. “No administration in our history has trampled workers’ rights like this one,” he said.

“The Nigerian worker has had it so rough under this current administration,” Abubakar added. “While the government boasts of reducing wasteful dependence on government, the living conditions of Nigerian workers remain abysmally low.”

He urged the government to prioritize the concerns of Nigerian workers and implement the theme of this year’s Labour Day: “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work In a Changing Climate.” CONTINUE READING