The Nigerian labour movement has praised the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, stating he will be remembered as a leader who prioritized the country and workers’ welfare.
In a statement emailed to Persecondnews on Monday, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), asserted that Buhari’s legacy is defined by his unwavering sense of purpose and his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and dignity.
Ajaero noted that while Buhari’s time as a military head of state included policies that adversely affected workers, such as mass retrenchment, he made amends during his civilian presidency.
“Buhari came fighting the unions and mass-retrenching workers leading to indescribable suffering during his tenure as a military head of state,” he said.
“However, as a civilian president, Buhari’s approach to labour issues changed dramatically. He saw to it that no worker was laid off (not even during the COVID-19 pandemic).”
Ajaero lauded Buhari’s efforts to support workers and state governments during his second term as president.
“He repeatedly gave facilities (bail out funds) to state governments to clear the backlogs of salaries and pensions as well as to enable them regularly pay salaries,” he said.
According to the labour leader, some governors failed to utilize these facilities effectively, but Buhari’s intentions were clear.
He also praised Buhari for resisting pressure to adopt fundamentalist market policies, which would have harmed workers and ordinary people.
Describing Buhari’s legacy as one of growth and correction, Ajaero stated, “In the late President, therefore, we have lost a leader who corrected his mistakes against workers, during his second coming; who stood with the people and country, a leader who truly put the country first no matter the cost.”
Ajaero prayed for Buhari’s eternal rest, saying, “May Allah forgive his sins as well as grant him peaceful repose.”
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