Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress both throw their weight behind Peter Obi

FORMER Anambra State governor Peter Obi has received the full backing of the Nigerian workers in his presidential bid as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have both thrown their weight behind his candidacy.

Last month, Governor Obi resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and withdrew from its presidential race. He joined the Labour Party and has been nominated to stand as their presidential candidate after his sole opponent Professor Pat Utomi stood down at the party’s primaries in the Delta State capital Asaba.

Governor Obi said that he resigned from the PDP in consonance with his belief of growing a nation of producers rather than consumers. He has since been trying to build a nationwide movement around his candidacy, seeking to woo the youth, students, workers and the downtrodden.

In a big boost for his candidacy, both the NLC and TUC pledge to support Governor Obi's presidential bid in separate addresses yesterday in Abuja. Speaking during the 10th Memorial Lecture in honour late Pascal Bafiyua, NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said they are solidly behind Obi and will mobilise to ensure the victory of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections.

He noted that labour must dive fully into politics and work hard to support candidates whose mantra will make life better for their members and Nigerians at large. TUC president Quadri Olaleye, stated that the entire labour movement has accepted, adopted and will support and ensure workers massively vote for Obi in the 2023 presidential elections.

He said: “Obi is a face among the presidential candidates that all labour unions are pleased and are ready to work with. The Labour Party is stronger, one and formidable and the party has a widespread structure, as there is a worker and a members of either TUC and NLC in every family across Nigeria.”