NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks during a townhall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concerns over the growing trend of state governors abandoning their states to reside permanently in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while citizens face economic hardship.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks during a townhall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The event was part of the leadership’s visit to commission 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses provided to the state chapter to ease transportation challenges.
Ajaero noted that during visits to five different zones, only one governor was present, highlighting the absence of governors from their states as a major governance issue.
"Most governors now live permanently in Abuja. Each time you visit, they are not around, and this affects governance. People should be able to engage with their leaders and experience the dividends of democracy," he said.
The townhall meeting provided an opportunity for workers to voice their concerns, which Ajaero pledged to relay to the Kogi State governor if he was available.
The NLC President also condemned the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by the previous administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.
He described the ban as unconstitutional, stating that union activities fall under the Exclusive Legislative List, which is beyond the powers of any state government.
"No governor has the power to ban unions. They are registered nationally and only operate branches in states. You cannot proscribe what you don’t control," Ajaero asserted.
Workers at the meeting lamented that for over a decade, unions in Kogi State Polytechnic, Kogi State University, and state colleges of education, technology, and nursing had been under proscription.
Other grievances raised by workers included the non-implementation of annual salary increases, lack of housing for workers, and a shortage of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools.
Ajaero emphasised that Kogi State is significant to the labour movement, given that Governor Usman Ododo and his deputy have backgrounds in union leadership. He expressed hope that their administration would address the concerns raised.
"We are here to engage and ensure that our former colleagues in leadership are upholding the values we have always fought for," he said.
The NLC’s visit to Kogi is part of a broader effort to assess workers' conditions across different states and advocate for improved welfare amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.