2023: Labour vows not to support Wike’s presidential bid over workers welfare

The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will not support Governor Nyesom Wike in his presidential ambition.

The State NLC chairman, Mrs Beatrice Itubo during an interview on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, accused the governor of subjecting workers and pensioners to hardship over non-payment of their gratuity.

She explained that offices in public schools, the State secretariat and hospitals, were empty because the Governor had refused to employ fresh staff, wondering if he wants to kill all the workers in Nigeria by aspiring to take over at Aso Rock.

According to her, “We have seen what is happening here in Rivers State. Pensioners have not been paid their gratuity since the inception of this administration. Workers have not been promoted since the inception of this administration.”

She urged the labour force to troupe out and vote for candidates who would be able to cater for workers’ welfare, however, maintaining that the presidential hopeful would not get her support.

“Charity they say begins at home. Let him (Wike) come home and pay retirees their gratuities, pay pension arrears, promote workers and then employ.

“The system is empty. It is not just to run from here and then you want to go to Abuja. There in Abuja, will you kill all the workers in Nigeria? Let him start the whole thing here (Rivers) so that we can give him the support. Without that, he will not have my support,” Mrs Itubo added.