The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State Chapter, has called for improved welfare for workers and pensioners, and the full implementation of Local Government Autonomy to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The Acting Secretary of the NLC, Abbas Ibrahim, made the call in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Kano.

He said priority attention should be given to workers’ and pensioners’ welfare in view of the current economic situation, to ensure a productive workforce capable of driving national development.

“If there is no viable and robust workforce, productivity will be affected; there will be negative consequences for the country’s growth and development,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim also emphasised the importance of safeguarding press freedom, adding that democracy cannot thrive without a free press that amplifies the voices of the masses and the vulnerable in society.

He called for the implementation of local government autonomy, saying it would bring governance closer to the grassroots and enhance economic development at the community level.

The NLC official also advocated social justice through improved access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and equitable distribution of resources.

The secretary said that one of the major achievements of the country’s democracy is the uninterrupted transition from military rule to successive democratic governments since the return to civil rule in 1999.

He said the transfer of power from the ruling party to the opposition in 2015 also remained a landmark in the country’s democratic journey.

“The 2015 transfer of power from former President Goodluck Jonathan to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari remains a landmark in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“The peaceful transfer of power between a ruling party and an opposition party demonstrated increased public participation in democracy, which gave birth to the opposition government.

“If we look at the challenges during that period, the country was bedevilled with increased insecurity, which has negatively affected the population as well as the economy,” he said.

He further said rising insecurity had negatively affected the economy and the well-being of citizens, hence the need for the government and other stakeholders to join hands in addressing the problem.

The NLC scribe, who revealed that vote-buying and other electoral irregularities continued to raise concerns about the integrity of elections, also urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts in addressing the concern.

Mr Ibrahim also expressed dissatisfaction over weak internal democracy within political parties, saying frequent litigations arising from party activities had eroded public trust in the political system.

He stressed the need to improve socio-economic conditions to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world and deepen democratic governance.

Mr Ibrahim expressed confidence that the effective implementation of these measures would strengthen democratic institutions and promote sustainable development in the country. 

(NAN)