The 74-year-old pioneer president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, yesterday led a protest by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to demand the prosecution of those who have looted the country’s resources.
The protest by labour also took place in most states of the federation.
This is just as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir, assured Nigerian workers that despite distractions, President Muhammadu Buhari will not spare those who have looted the economy.
Sunmonu, because of his age, surprised many when he led the protest which lasted more than six hours and walked from the Unity Fountain to the EFCC, National Assembly and Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
At the EFCC, the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said Nigerian workers will support justice to strengthen EFCC and all anti-graft agencies.
He frowned at instances where light sentences are given to those who looted billions of naira, saying the NLC will lead the fight to ensure that corrupt judges who deliberately stalled corruption cases are flushed out of the system.
He said, “Workers are prepared for the fight against corruption. If the problem is with the court, we are ready to march to the court; if it is with the NASS, we are ready to march to NASS”.
The NLC boss also warned that the congress is ready take the war to judges who are found wanting in the anti-graft war.
He said, “Bad judges will be flushed out. Nobody is above the law. Workers are prepared for the fight against corruption,” he said.
Also speaking, former deputy president of NLC, Comrade Isa Aremu, said Nigerians must join the fight against corruption.
He said, “The president has said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us. Should will allow corruption kill us? This is why we must support the fight against corruption”
He said due to corruption, the nation’s education and healthcare sector have collapsed, saying Nigerians can no longer fold their arms and watch.
He said, “If you want light. You must buy generator, if you want quality education, your children must go to private schools. Nigerians workers are saying enough is enough”
In his reaction, the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, said with the support of organised labour, the fight against corruption has been strengthened.
He said, “With this, our hands are strengthend. We will not disappoint you. The cost of business in Nigeria is the most expensive in the world. Nigerians must speak with one voice against cankerworm of corruption. We have a government that is determined to fight corruption, so it is natural that we align with this vision”
He assured that the EFCC will take the NLC and TUC along in the quest to rid the country of corruption.
At the National Assembly, both the senate president, Bukola Saraki and speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.