Wabba Mourns Buhari, Says Nigerian Workers Have Lost a Pro-Poor Leader

The immediate past President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has described the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a monumental loss to Nigerian workers and the masses.

In a statement reacting to the news of the former President’s death, Wabba expressed shock and sadness, noting that Buhari would be remembered as a genuinely pro-poor and people-centered leader whose policies reflected empathy for the working class and vulnerable Nigerians.

“What was meant to be a routine health check in London sadly turned into the demise of a Commander-in-Chief who will long be remembered for standing firmly with the poor and vulnerable,” Wabba said.

He recalled that shortly after taking office in 2015, Buhari approved a $2.1 billion bailout package to assist states in settling unpaid salaries and pension arrears. “He was deeply moved by the hardship faced by workers. He once asked state governors how they managed to sleep at night knowing that their workers were owed salaries,” Wabba recounted.

The labour leader also commended Buhari’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, especially during the national minimum wage negotiations. “President Buhari was sincere in his approach. During talks on a new minimum wage, he even suggested a figure higher than the N30,000 eventually agreed upon. Unfortunately, many state governors resisted,” he noted.

Wabba further hailed Buhari’s refusal to remove petrol subsidy during his tenure, despite pressure from international financial institutions. “Despite intense pressure from the IMF and World Bank, President Buhari stood his ground and refused to increase the price of refined petroleum products beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. He chose to stand with the people,” he added.

Wabba extended condolences to the Buhari family, the government, and all Nigerians, especially workers, stating that the late President’s legacy would live on in the hearts of those who benefited from his compassionate policies.