Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed strong criticism against the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, stating that Nigerian workers have faced unprecedented challenges under its governance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, coinciding with the International Workers’ Day, Atiku lamented the dire conditions faced by Nigerian workers, emphasising that no previous administration in the nation’s history has disregarded workers’ rights to such an extent.
Atiku highlighted the daily struggles endured by workers due to the soaring prices of essential goods, attributing the situation to the government’s failure to address economic hardships effectively.
He specifically criticised the abrupt removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, without proper consultations with representatives of Nigerian workers, which led to widespread frustration and inconvenience for citizens.
Furthermore, Atiku pointed out the continuous increase in tariffs across various service sectors without addressing underlying issues such as corruption and inefficiencies, resulting in Nigerian citizens bearing the brunt of the system’s shortcomings.
Drawing from historical examples of prominent labor activists like Pa. Michael Imoudu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Atiku underscored the longstanding tradition of Nigerian workers advocating against tyranny and bad governance.
He expressed solidarity with Nigerian workers while condemning the government’s disregard for their plight, noting the stark disparity between official narratives of progress and the grim reality faced by workers on the ground.
Atiku concluded by extending his well-wishes to Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers’ Day and expressed hope that the theme of the occasion, “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work In a Changing Climate,” would compel the government to prioritize workers’ concerns and take meaningful action to improve their conditions.
