The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and the factional National Deputy President, NLC, Mr. Issa Aremu, have insisted on capital punishment for corrupt government officials and others individuals.
The NLC noted that corruption had become pervasive and endemic, adding that it had led to the death of many innocent Nigerians.
Wabba spoke in Ilorin on Saturday during his condolence visit to Aremu who lost his 91-year-old mother, Hafsat.
He further said there had been a collapse of social services and basic amenities as few Nigerians corruptly enrich themselves to the detriment of the majority.
Wabba said, “We must canvass for capital punishment. It is only people who are stealing that will go against it. If we are campaigning for capital punishment and people are kicking against it, we must be consistent because people are reaping from where they did not sow.
“We are facing challenges because many people have appropriated the resources needed to drive development. Schools are not developing; there are no drugs in hospitals. People have helped themselves and Nigerians are suffering. We have the right to demand for good governance and accountability.’’
The NLC boss claimed the crisis that factionalised the labour union had been resolved.
Wabba said the strength of any labour union lay in its solidarity and oneness. He stated that all labour unions were bound together by the quest for improvement in the living and working conditions of workers.
“We never had a faction. We were not divided over the issues of unity and issues that will advance the interests of Nigerian workers. We have been the same, ’’ he added.
On his part, Aremu said many Nigerians were dying from corruption as a result of avoidable deaths from decayed and unavailable infrastructure and social amenities.
I support NLC’s position. As I have always said, corruption and cheating in exams should be matched with death penalty! And this is the masterstroke to end these two strands of national malaise and an excellent way of implementing the constitutional provision, “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power!”