The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s democracy, accusing a privileged elite of hijacking the electoral process and turning votes into tradable commodities.
Speaking in Abuja during the public presentation of the Report on Electoral Trust and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding organized by the International Press Centre (IPC), NLC President Joe Ajaero said the political class has betrayed the sovereign will of the people.
According to him, what should be a sacred platform for expressing the people’s will has instead become a marketplace where votes are sold, and democracy is undermined by those in power.
He stated, “This betrayal is evident in the poor governance Nigerians suffer at all levels reflected in nearly 150 million people living in multidimensional poverty; dilapidated infrastructure; impassable roads; neglected schools; crumbling hospitals; failing public utilities; and rising insecurity nationwide.
“The Fourth Estate must find the courage to speak for the voiceless, not serve as a mouthpiece for the powerful. It should expose the harsh realities of the entire electoral process pre-election rigging, vote-buying, intimidation, and post-election judicial manipulations. The media must resist the flood of propaganda engineered by the political elite bent on self-preservation.”
He praised the International Press Centre’s initiative, highlighting its collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) as a critical stand against deception. These groups, representing gender-sensitive reporting and dynamic digital media, are key to ensuring the public is informed and empowered, and politicians are held accountable.
The NLC president reminded journalists that the working class and the masses are watching closely, emphasizing that only integrity and courage can restore public trust.
“We urge the media to align with the people. Be the mirror that reveals our true situation, not the curtain that conceals it. Be the compass that leads us toward authentic democracy, not the instrument that validates its imitation.”
“I have been and remain a journalist someone who has walked these paths and faced the same challenges. I remember well the conditions under which we worked, but even amid those difficulties, great men and women emerged who spoke the truth and continuously informed the public with objective realities. Let us build on that foundation of truth, summoning our personal courage as another election cycle approaches.
“We see the 2027 elections as a crucial test for journalists committed to upholding the principles and values of our profession. While our outlook for this cycle appears bleak, the media can still be a powerful force for change rebuilding public trust and empowering citizens to take action for the betterment of our nation. This is a fight for Nigeria’s future, and the Nigeria Labour Congress stands ready to partner with all genuine forces committed to reclaiming our democracy for the working people and the masses.”
