BY CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The Labour Party (LP) has called on the federal government to intensify measures aimed at cushioning the impact of rising inflation on Nigerian workers, warning that current economic pressures are eroding living standards.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party acknowledged steps taken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve worker welfare but stressed that stronger interventions are urgently needed to address soaring costs of living.
“The Labour Party commends the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliate unions for their steadfast commitment to the Nigerian project and the protection of workers’ rights,” the statement read.
“We assure Nigerian workers that the Labour Party stands firmly with them and will never abandon the collective struggle for good governance – one that guarantees fair wages and aligns with the ideals and standards of the International Labour Organisation.”
The call comes amid persistent inflationary pressures that have driven up the cost of food, transportation, and energy, leaving many workers struggling to meet basic needs despite stagnant wages.
Similarly, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) praised Nigerian workers for their resilience in the face of economic hardship but warned that endurance should not replace tangible prosperity.
“The average Nigerian worker is currently navigating unprecedented inflationary pressures on food and essential services. The high cost of transportation and energy. A widening gap between stagnant wages and the skyrocketing cost of survival,” the NNPP said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Bamofin Ladipo Johnson.
“Your ability to remain productive and hopeful in the face of these challenges is a testament to the indomitable Nigerian spirit. However, the NNPP believes that resilience should not be a substitute for prosperity. You deserve a country that works as hard for you as you do for it.”
The party further urged workers to become more politically engaged ahead of upcoming elections, emphasizing the need to elect leaders committed to improving welfare and reducing the cost of living.
“As we move further into this critical electoral cycle, the NNPP urges every worker, from the civil servant in the city to the laborer in the field, to recognize their collective power,” the statement added.
“To transform the standard of living in Nigeria, workers must move beyond mere survival and embrace political organization.
“We must ensure that the next crop of representatives and leaders are individuals who: Prioritize a living wage over a minimum wage. Implement policies that drastically reduce the cost of living. Invest in social safety nets and infrastructure that ease the burden on the common man.”
The statements from both parties highlight growing political pressure on the federal government to deliver economic relief as inflation continues to squeeze households.
Analysts say failure to address these concerns could deepen public dissatisfaction, influence voter sentiment ahead of future elections, and trigger renewed agitation from labour unions demanding wage adjustments and policy reforms.
