Civil Society Backs NLC’s Role in Defending Democracy Amid Senate Tensions

A civil society organisation,The Gatekeepers of Democracy, has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over its position on the political developments surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the leadership of the Senate.

In a statement signed by its National Convener, Umar Kaltungo, the group affirmed that the NLC has every right to engage in political discourse, especially where such matters directly impact workers and the national interest.

“The struggle for democracy is also a workers’ struggle. You cannot reclaim economic rights without first safeguarding political rights,” the statement read.

The Gatekeepers of Democracy cautioned against attempts to confine labour’s advocacy to purely industrial issues, warning that such moves would undermine democratic participation and silence workers’ voices in governance.

Kaltungo stressed that the suspension of elected representatives has far-reaching implications for both democratic accountability and economic justice, recalling that organised labour has historically championed democratic reforms.

He praised the NLC for its interventions on pension reforms and workers’ welfare, urging it to remain unwavering in defending both economic and political rights.

“The Nigerian people know those who stand with them in their struggles. We urge the NLC to continue speaking up for a living wage in the workplace and for a living democracy in national governance,” Kaltungo said.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the NLC and the Senate leadership over the political situation involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. the Gatekeepers of Democracy and other civil society groups have pledged to continue advocating for the protection of democratic institutions.