Why Rivers Workers Would Mobilize Against Wike’s Presidential Ambition – NLC Chairperson
The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated in clear terms that the workers would not only work against Governor Nyesom Wike’s presidential ambition but would mobilize its national connection against him.
The Rivers State NLC chairperson, Comrade (Mrs) Beatrice Itubo stated this in a chat with newsmen over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
She maintained that except the governor changes his stance against the workers, the Rivers State Workers would not recind their decision to work against him.
“Since inception of his administration, Gov Wike has refused to pay workers their gratuities, pension arrears, no promotion of workers, nor employment for the teeming unemployed youths,” she stressed.
The chairperson made it clear that she doesn’t have anything personal against the governor but his stance against the workers welfare.
She went further to say that the workers will only swing their support to any of the political aspirants who has the interest of workers at heart.
“The workers will meet with the aspirants and extract commitment from them individually and collectively on what they have in stock for the workers before we mobilize support for them: Workers and Labour friendly candidate who would create conducive environment for private sectors to strive and employ Rivers indigenes,” she stated.
On the gender equality proposed bill, she said she is in agreement with the advocacy.
“Infact what is good for the gueeze is also good for the gander” In addition to the 35% affirmative action, women need more,” adding that she indeed proposes 70 – 30 ratio in favour of the women for political appointments.
Mrs. Itubo disclosed further that the women and youths who are the most vulnerable in the society should be considered most in any political positions.
“Give us the 35% affirmative action and then throw the remainder open for those who have what it takes to compete with the men also. The women should be given the chance to compete with their male counterparts.
Comrade (Mrs) Itubo said she was not comfortable with the second class positions women are sholved into. “Most of the negligible few considered at all are for that matter positioned as a stooge without being heard”.
She said the women are now ready to mobilize support for their own but that the political leaders should provide a level playing field for them and as well given equal opportunities to contest and wrest power.
On rotation of power or zoning system, the NLC chairperson said she is in total support of the arrangement as every zone has what it takes to rule. She however made it clear that competence should not be sacrificed in the alter of zoning.
Not that we shall go and bring a goat and decorate it for a governor. However, I don’t believe that there is any zone or area that do not have competent persons who can handle any political position. Rotation of political positions is essential for the rule of law to prevail in a democracy, as justice, fairplay and equity demands”.
