AAC stated this in a press statement released on Monday, describing the attitude of the labour unions as shameful and a disappointment to the plights of the working-class people of the state.
The African Action Congress has expressed its dissatisfaction with the public apology tendered by the leadership of the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to the state governor, Seyi Makinde over the disruption of activities in the state secretariat last week.
AAC stated this in a press statement released on Monday, describing the attitude of the labour unions as shameful and a disappointment to the plights of the working-class people of the state.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the labour leaders mobilised their members to the State Secretariat to tender a public apology to Makinde.
This was captured in a viral video seen by SaharaReporters, showing the moment the state labour union stakeholders begged Governor Makinde for exhibiting their right to protest as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution last week.
It was learned further that the state government secretariat had been reopened for activities after a week-long closure due to the protests.
In the video, SaharaReproters heard one of the labour union members, while addressing a mammoth crowd, saying: “On behalf of the entire workforce of Oyo State, in any way, we might have hurt you. You don’t deserve it from us. You have given us much. We are sorry. And yesterday you let us realise that for everything we asked for, you are going to give it to us. Even the statement was made out of annoyance because we were the ones that made Oga (governor) vexed. He said he has withdrawn his statement.
“He added that if you have anything, the door is open, bring it to the table. But it will be better if you hear it from his mouth.”
Reacting to this development, AAC in a statement said the apology should come from Governor Makinde for oppressing the state workers.
AAC’s statement reads: “In a statement released on Monday by the state chairman Com Kayode Babayomi read, The attention of the African Action Congress (AAC) has been drawn to a video trending on social media, where the members of the Oyo state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Council (TUC) are seen making a public apology to the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
“We in the African Action Congress condemn in totality this act of public disgrace and cowardice on the parts of the NLC AND TUC of the state.
“If anyone deserves an apology, it is in fact Seyi Makinde who should apologise to the oppressed workers of Oyo state.
“It is rather disheartening and humiliating, that the once vibrant and gallant Labour Unions have become puppets in the hands of the state governor, thereby making Oyo state workers bear the brunt of their obvious cowardice.
“This only further confirms our already popular position of how weak and cheap the leadership of the NLC and TUC have become.
“One would expect that the NLC who in the past is known to be one of the mouthpieces of the grassroots people and oppressed workers would use this opportunity to redeem its already ruined image but it is rather sad that the present leaders in the state are baby comrades who are only interested in fighting personal interests – to fill their pockets.
“Now that Governor Seyi Makinde is back from his self-awarded vacation to the Federal Capital Territory, he should as a matter of urgency, apologise to the good people of Oyo state, who have been affected by the governor's negligence of duty.
“The governor's arrival should have been met with heavy resistance and renewed energy on the part of the workers who have been on the streets for 7 days now. Sadly, however, the NLC leaders resorted to singing songs of praise and eulogising the Agodi tyrant.
“We call on the NLC to put an end to the romance with the governor and stand fully with the workers and people of the state.
“The NLC is notable for going back on their struggles and demands, but the time to stop is NOW!
“We urge the good people of Oyo state to remain resolute and determined, as our party African Action Congress (AAC) is on the way to deliver the Oyo state people and Nigeria, and by extension, Africa.”