By John Ogunsemore
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the National Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze.
Atiku made the call in a statement shared on X on Sunday.
Emelieze has reportedly been in detention of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) since his June 30 arrest in Ibadan, Oyo State, over a planned July 1 nationwide protest to demand payment of the minimum wage and other allowances.
Atiku said his continued detention is an “affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration”.
The 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) blamed President Bola Tinubu for “hastily and thoughtlessly” removing fuel subsidy, triggering “an economic avalanche that has since buried the average Nigerian under the weight of inflation, hunger, and despair”.
He added, “In a bid to manage the self-inflicted crisis, the administration promised to pay a wage award to federal civil servants as a temporary cushion pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant.
“It took the Tinubu administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure. By implication, the Federal Government owes 10 months of wage award arrears to federal workers.
“Yet, only six months have been paid and that too after a series of unfulfilled assurances and avoidable delays.
“As of today, the Federal Government owes four months of wage awards, amounting to ₦35,000 monthly, a total of ₦140,000 per worker.
“While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in the management of labour affairs, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has distinguished itself by its callous indifference and utter disdain.”
On Emelieze’s ordeal, Atiku said the labour leader’s only “crime” was speaking up for workers abandoned by the state.
He said, “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emelieze. His continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.
“Let it be known: Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act, not repress.”
