Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has expressed concern over the growing trend of Nigerian governors abandoning their states and residing permanently in Abuja.
He made this statement during a visit to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, for the distribution of CNG buses to the NLC chapter.
Ajaero explained that the NLC leadership had visited five zones, but in most cases, the governors were absent, having traveled to Abuja.
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He highlighted that this trend has worsened the economic challenges in many states.
“We’ve visited about five zones, and Kogi is the fifth. We’ve only met governors in one state. Whenever we go there, they are in Abuja, and this is negatively impacting governance,” Ajaero said.
He emphasized the importance of managing both the central and state levels of government so that citizens can feel the benefits of democracy and have access to their leaders.
He added, “If the governor is around, we will convey your concerns to him. If he’s not, we will pass them on to whoever he sends.”
Ajaero also addressed the issue of governors attempting to ban labor unions, specifically reacting to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello’s actions.
He stated, “Union practice is under the exclusive legislative list in the Constitution. No governor has the authority to ban unions, as they are registered nationally by the Registrar of Trade Unions. State governments cannot ban what they don’t control.”
The NLC president expressed surprise that such actions had been taken in the state, noting that the state government lacked the legal right to proscribe unions.
Ajaero also pointed out the harsh economic realities faced by workers, particularly the high cost of living, and warned that any proposed tariff increases would only exacerbate the situation.
