The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has accused the Federal Government and state governors of systematically crushing dissent, weakening democratic institutions, and unlawfully seizing workers’ contributions, which it described as stealing workers’ sweat.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 21st Rain School of the NLC, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stating that Nigeria was on the brink of tyranny.

Ajaero described Nigeria as a democratic space, the very arena where citizens, especially the working class, face an assault on their rights to free speech, assembly, and participation in governance.

According to him, the ongoing clampdown on civic freedoms and union activities is a calculated effort to silence the voices of Nigerian workers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Governance has been abandoned for 2027 politicking. Leaders who should be working to alleviate suffering are instead consumed by power games, leaving workers and ordinary Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship and mounting insecurity, all imposed by their policies,” he said.