NLC raises the alarm over shrinking democratic space, warns

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns over the increasing erosion of democratic rights in the country, warning that the shrinking civic space posed a direct threat to workers, civil society, and Nigeria’s future.

Speaking at the opening of the 21st edition of the NLC Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the current political environment as hostile to free speech, association, and citizens’ participation in governance.

“Democratic space is the arena where citizens especially the working class exercise their rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in governance. But today, that space is under siege. Today, that space is being trampled upon by those who have captured the levers of governance not knowing that they put all of us in perils.”

Ajaero warned that without an open civic space, the union’s ability to protect workers’ rights and demand accountability from leaders would be severely weakened.

Referencing recent incidents, Ajaero condemned what he described as targeted suppression of opposition voices and civil liberties by some political actors. He specifically cited threats made against political opponents and accused the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of undemocratic conduct. “If he can invade NLC’s Secretariat and seeks to clone his own NLC in the state despite all entreaties then, he can threaten citizens of Nigeria without any thoughts,” Ajaero stated. “When governors unilaterally decide who can speak, assemble, or even celebrate a birthday, they are not just targeting opposition voices; they are testing how far they can suppress collective action altogether.”

Ajaero also criticized the government’s focus on political campaigns for 2027 rather than on addressing pressing socioeconomic issues. According to him, this misplaced priority had left workers and ordinary Nigerians to suffer from deepening hardship and insecurity.

“Governance has been abandoned for 2027 politicking. We are all on our own. Leaders who should be working to alleviate suffering are instead consumed by power games.”

Beyond the political space, Ajaero also decried the non-implementation of labour laws and violation of workers’ entitlements, particularly the refusal of the government to constitute the boards of key institutions like PENCOM. He condemned what he described as unlawful management of workers’ contributions to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), claiming that 50 per cent of the funds were being diverted into government revenue.

“Let us together tell government that we will not allow our hard-earned benefits to continue to be managed unlawfully,” he said.

He called on Nigerian workers to remain vigilant and committed to defending the rights of the working class. He urged affiliates and delegates at the Rain School to use the gathering to sharpen their strategies for safeguarding democracy and expanding civic engagement.

“If we do not act now, if we do not occupy, defend, and expand the democratic space, we risk losing the very freedoms that generations of workers fought and bled for,” Ajaero said.