….Movement describes alleged boycott directive against its Lagos inauguration as undemocratic, calls for respect for workers’ rights
Working People United (WoPU) has rejected what it described as a directive by some officials within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) asking leaders of affiliated unions to boycott the inauguration of the WoPU Lagos State Chapter, insisting that Nigerian workers have a constitutionally protected right to freely associate with organisations of their choice.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator-General, Comrade Prince Akporeha Williams, and General Secretary, Comrade Oladapo Sunday Moses, WoPU said the reported directive amounted to an unacceptable attempt to restrict workers’ freedom of association and political participation.
The organisation said its position is anchored on Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees the right of every person to assemble freely and associate with others, including belonging to a political party, trade union or other association for the protection of their interests. Nigerian courts have also repeatedly recognised freedom of association as a constitutionally protected right.
WoPU further cited Nigeria’s obligations under ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and ILO Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. The International Labour Organization confirms that Nigeria ratified both conventions on October 17, 1960, and that they remain in force.
WoPU challenges alleged NLC directive
According to the movement, a circular circulating on social media allegedly instructed presidents and general secretaries of NLC-affiliated unions to stay away from its Lagos State Chapter inauguration.
WoPU described the reported directive as “dictatorial” and argued that individual workers should not be compelled to adopt a particular political affiliation or prevented from participating in an association of their choice.
The organisation said it does not seek to replace or undermine the NLC or any established labour organisation, describing itself instead as a broader movement comprising people from formal and informal sectors, including artisans, market men and women, professionals and other working Nigerians.
“No organisation, no matter how powerful, has the right to tell Nigerian workers which associations they can join,” WoPU stated, adding that its members should be free to participate in political and civic activities in accordance with their constitutional rights.
Movement declares support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election
WoPU also reaffirmed its support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, as well as what it described as progressive-minded candidates.
The movement said its political position is a matter of choice by its members and should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine organised labour.
It also rejected what it described as attempts by individuals within the labour movement to dictate the political preferences of Nigerian workers.
Legal framework cited by WoPU
WoPU’s statement referenced Section 40 of the Constitution, ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the Trade Unions Act in advancing its position.
However, the legal framework surrounding labour organisations and political activity is more nuanced than the statement suggests. The Trade Unions Act regulates trade unions and, among other provisions, places restrictions on the use of trade-union funds for political support of elected officials.
Nigerian courts, meanwhile, have affirmed the broad constitutional protection of freedom of association while recognising that the right is subject to constitutional and statutory limitations in certain circumstances.
WoPU therefore called on the NLC to withdraw the alleged directive, respect the constitutional rights of workers and avoid actions that could be interpreted as intimidation or coercion.
Call for protection of workers’ rights
The movement also appealed to Nigerian workers to exercise their constitutional rights peacefully and responsibly, while urging security agencies and relevant government authorities to protect citizens against harassment or intimidation.
WoPU specifically expressed solidarity with its Lagos State Chapter Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, and said any attempt to intimidate or malign her because of her association with the movement would be resisted through lawful means.
The organisation said it would continue to promote what it described as the unity, productivity and progress of Nigerian working people.
“WoPU remains committed to the unity, productivity and progress of Nigerian working people. We shall not be silenced by intimidation,” the statement declared.
The movement concluded by urging all Nigerians to remain responsible citizens and participate peacefully in the country’s democratic process.
ORIGINAL TEXT AS SUPPLIED
WoPU REJECTS NLC’S ANTI-DEMOCRATIC DIRECTIVE, DEFENDS WORKERS’ CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
…Says directive to boycott WoPU’s inauguration is dictatorial and violates Section 40 of Nigerian Constitution and ILO Conventions
LAGOS – August 12, 2026
Working People United (WoPU) hereby condemns in strongest terms the directive issued by some persons of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), instructing presidents and general secretaries of affiliate unions to boycott the inauguration of WoPU’s Lagos State Chapter scheduled for today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
This is in relation to a circular being distributed in various social media platforms across the country, authorized by few persons in NLC hierarchy, who are known to be mischievous in the past. The have now ignored their constitutional mandate of protecting workers welfare to dabble into politics for the single reason of being against the re-election of Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in 2027. Working People United sees this directive as an afront on the sensibility of Nigerian workers, Nigerian working people, Nigerian citizens and our constitution and rights.
WoPU views this directive as a fundamental violation of the constitutional rights of Nigerian workers to freedom of association as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees:
“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his/her interests.”
Working People United, A legitimately and duly registered support group recognized by Nigerian law and government since October 2025 cannot be said to be unknown. Besides, no law in NLC constitution requires that a political support group must seek approval of some persons in the hierarchy before it operates.
Working People United (WoPU) is a convergent of like minds across all professions, artisans, Market Men & women, working people from formal sectors & informal sectors, private and public sectors, who have decided to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and other progressive minded candidates seeking leadership, against the forced coercion of the Ajaero Led NLC to support a candidate and a party he wishes for his own personal promised gains.
It is unfortunate that some persons in NLC are now arrogating powers they do not possess by directing individual, Unions, affiliates that their members should only join and support Labour Party. We recollect how this person has tried to coerce all workers to join LP and support a particular candidate in the last election and still doing same in 2027, against the freedom of association of individual. It should be noted that, The NLC is a group of individual unions with their rights and decision via their various organs as enshrined and govern by their individual constitution and not by any person in NLC.
It is unfortunate, the assertion of not taking permission from some few leaders of NLC, for individuals to exercise their constitutional fundamental human rights to belong to any association of his/her choice is now a TREASONABLE offence. To say the least, this is laughable and appalling that some few individuals are trying to drag our highly respected NLC to this very lowest ebb. This constitutes a threat, deliberate and direct affront against the rights of working people to freely associate.
Constitutional and International Legal Framework
WoPU’s position is anchored on the following legal principles:
Section 40, 1999 Constitution: Right to freedom of association. Workers have the right to form or belong to any association, including WoPU.
ILO Convention No. 87: Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize.
ILO Convention No. 98: Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining.
Trade Unions Act: Voluntarism of membership and regulation of trade union activities.
Nigeria ratified ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on October 17, 1960, and both remain in force.
Legal Violations Identified
- Violation of Freedom of Association
The NLC’s directive effectively seeks to dictate which organisations workers may join. This is a direct contravention of Section 40 of the Constitution, which protects the right of “every person” to associate freely.
- Contradiction of ILO Standards
Nigeria has ratified ILO Convention No. 87, which guarantees workers the right to establish and join organisations of their own choosing.
- Unlawful Restriction on Worker Organisation
The NLC has no legal authority to prevent any group of workers from forming or joining any political association.
WoPU’s Position
WoPU is a legitimate, constitutionally protected association, movement of Nigerian working people with interest in politics and good governance in Nigeria. WoPU scope is beyond membership of organized labour, it cut across all working people from both formal and informal sectors, as members.
It was established by working people, and many members of organized labour based on their freedom of association to freely participate politically and therefore not a “parallel organization” as alleged by some persons in NLC and does not which to be a parallel as alleged.
WoPU is a projected movement of over 70 million working Nigerians that advocates for good governance, and recognizes the giant strides of the present Government by coming all out to seek the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu including other progressives in the 2027 election on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
Again, WoPU does not seek to replace or undermine the NLC or any other labour organization. It’s a movement that brings together working people from all sectors to amplify their voices and advocate for their interests especially in Politics and other aspects.