The United Labour Congress on Tuesday joined the clamour for Nigeria to be restructured, to overcome its pressing challenges.
Speaking with labour correspondents in Lagos, the President of the ULC, Joe Ajaero, said that restructuring would bring about creation of security outlets by various to end the wanton killings in the country.
He was speaking against the backdrop of the latest killings by suspected herdsmen in Plateau, where no fewer than 86 people were slaughtered on June 24.
The labour chief said that government needed to create a framework that would guarantee security of lives and property in the country.
According to him, the least any government can do for its citizens is to provide security to secure lives and property of the populace.
Ajaero said: “Government is built on its ability to guarantee its citizens the right to life and security of properties. Failure to provide this will amount to abdicating the responsibility to the people.
“We believe that community policing will reduce mass killings in the country and restore hope and confidence of the citizenry on the potency of the nation to guarantee lives and properties.”
Ajaero described the killings in Plateau as another one too many, calling for immediate overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture to tackle the killings decisively.
According to him, democracy cannot thrive if the people live in fear and anxiety.
He told the government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the various killings, especially in Plateau.
On 2018 budget, the union leader said the ULC was worried over the needless controversy that trailed the signing of the 2018 budget.
He said: “It is unnecessary because the process as constitutionally laid down has inbuilt mechanisms that serve as checks to impunity of any of the parties involved unless there is a compromise.”
He said that the controversy had serious implications for the nation’s democracy and that this was not good, especially as the country prepares for general elections.
Ajaero, however, called on the legislature and the executive to show mutual respect, adding that each arm in the exercise of its constitutional duties should apply due caution and restraint.
He said that deeper attention should be focused on delivering workers and masses from the grip of poverty, insecurity, disease and wanton deprivation.
