By Cross Udo and Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of broken promises and exploitation not to lose hope over the betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.
The advice was given in goodwill by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on the occasion of the 64th Independence anniversary on October 1 (today).
The statement entitled “The beginning of a new era” reads, “On the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebration, we congratulate all Nigerians, especially workers, for their sacrifice, resilience, or robust spirit in spite of serial acts of betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.
“We urge the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of these broken promises, exploitation, and corruption not to give up hope on their country.
“Because their sacrifice has been taken for granted for so long, they should learn to protest within the limits of the law against injustices and subversion of democratic norms, culture, and values by the dominant political elite.
“It should be apparent to the citizenry that the leading political elite are not ready to do the right thing except they are compelled to do so.
“In the same vein, we would like to sound a note of caution to our political elite whose preoccupation is to circumvent the principles and practice of popular democracy that undermining of our democratic institutions can no longer be business as usual.
“The consequences of their acts of Commission or omission brought us this far. It is time to turn a new leaf. Let it be the beginning of a new low.”
*Senators appeal to citizens to shun protests
Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola, have appealed to the citizens to shun protest.
They urged Nigerians to remain resolute in promoting national unity, support, and prayers for the government to succeed in its efforts to positively turn around the country’s fortunes.
The Federal Government declared October 1 (today) a public holiday to commemorate the country’s 64th Independence celebration.
In his message to Nigerians on the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary, signed by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President appealed to the promoters of the October 1 protest to shelve the idea.
Barau reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to reviving the economy and tackling the country’s insecurity and other challenges.
“As we celebrate the 64th Independence Anniversary – the liberty from colonial rule, we must remember the enormous sacrifices made by our founding fathers and recommit ourselves to the ideals they preached.
“At 64, we face some challenges as a country, but we will overcome them by God’s grace. We will come out stronger. Let’s continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in actualising his policies and programmes. He has good intentions for the country. We will get it right,” he said.
Barau said the parliament would continue to promote good governance and support the executive with the necessary legislation to implement its programmes and policies.
He also said the Committee on Constitution Review, which he headed, was working hard to amend the nation’s constitution to meet Nigerians’ wishes and aspirations.
“Together, we can forge a more robust and inclusive constitutional framework for our beloved nation, Nigeria, as we seek to build a brighter future for all our citizens,” he said.
Bamidele, the Senate Leader, charged the country’s leadership at the various subregional levels to end challenges undermining collective prosperity.
He said, “Nigeria has come a long way despite the challenging and turbulent times she has gone through within these periods.
“Yet, we are a nation undergoing socio-economic and political transformation, which will soon bring forth desired outcomes.
“After 64 years of political independence and 110 years of corporate existence, the onus now rests upon us all to focus our energy and intellect on what majorly unites us as a federation rather than what will further divide us along our ethnopolitical and religious lines.
“At this trying time, we must deliberate and decisively address what easily divides us and heat our polity to build a resilient federation that works for all.
“It is important for all leaders, political or socio-cultural, religious or traditional, community or professional, to close ranks and come up with consensus on how to end heinous challenges undermining our collective prosperity, national harmony, and political stability.
“Such a united front has now become imperative at this auspicious time when the review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is underway at the National Assembly.
“There is no better time to review our federal governance structure than now to create a more efficient, functional, and responsive federation.
“We have already received 37 fresh memoranda from different interests nationwide. We are also revisiting 16 constitution alteration bills inherited from the Ninth National Assembly.
“Before public hearings on the constitution review take off in January 2025, we are open to more memoranda from all interests.
“Among others, we have received memoranda on the need to establish state police; adopt diaspora voting; entrench financial autonomy for local government councils; deepen independence of the judiciary; provide special seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly and create the National Council of Traditional Rulers. More memoranda are welcome.
“The process for the review of the 1999 Constitution is unambiguous as enshrined in Section 9(2) (3). It is a collective approach that requires the input of the federal and state legislature and the contributions of all interests across the federation.
“As we proceed with the review, we promise not to leave any interest behind in forging a new path for our beloved fatherland. And Nigeria shall be better for it.”
Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all Nigerians on celebrating another year as a nation.
In a statement issued ahead of the celebration, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations stated that in spite of challenges facing the nation, particularly in the area of socioeconomic development, which is not peculiar to Nigeria at this time, Nigeria is moving ahead as a united, indivisible nation.
He said, “I call on all Nigerians to be steadfast in prayer for the President, for peace, security, and unity of purpose in the onerous task of nation-building and development.”
Senator Adeola expressed optimism about the President Tinubu administration’s ability to redress the wrongs of the past in our development trajectory, stressing that a better future is assured for the nation with the faithful and detailed implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
