Eid-el- Fitr: Nigeria bleeds, end bloodletting, NLC charges political leaders

2026-03-19 - 15:34

...Says government can’t govern dead citizens By Victor Ahiuma-Young The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has raised alarm over worsening insecurity across the country, declaring that Nigeria is “bleeding” even as Muslims mark the Eid-el- Fitr celebration. The labour body warned political leaders that the persistent wave of violence threatens the nation’s stability and the very foundation of governance. In a Sallah message by its president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the continued loss of lives, including recent bombings in Maiduguri, reflects a country drifting deeper into crisis. It stressed that no political ambition or interest should come at the expense of human lives, urging leaders to prioritise peace and security above all else. NLC also issued a stern warning to the political class ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that leadership is meaningless without a living and secure population. It demanded an immediate end to what it described as senseless bloodletting across the country. The message reads, “As the crescent moon heralds the blessed occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, extends warm felicitations to the Muslim community and to all Nigerian workers and citizens who continue to bear the heavy burden of a nation still operating far below its potential. “This season of sacrifice commemorates profound submission to the will of Allah and the supreme value of life. Yet, as we celebrate, our nation bleeds. The rising bloodshed caused by rampant insecurity is a stain on our collective conscience. “The recent Maiduguri bombings and associated deaths highlight the scale of evil that has overtaken our nation. Just as the sword of Ibrahim (AS) was stayed, we demand that the swords raised against our citizens be stayed as well. “We call on all leaders and gatekeepers of our nation—from the corridors of Aso Rock to local government secretariats—to use this sacred period for deep and sincere soul-searching. There is no cause, no political ambition, no religious dogma, and no economic gain worth shedding a single drop of Nigerian blood. “The essence of Sallah is not in the opulent feasts of the powerful while the masses go hungry, but in the reaffirmation of our duty to one another. The working class and the poor have been sacrificed on the altars of primitive accumulation. “We must rescue our nation from the clutches of destruction. The blood of the farmer, the trader, the butcher, and the civil servant is not a commodity to be traded for political points. “To the political class, we issue a stern reminder: as you sharpen your knives and draw battle lines for the 2027 general elections, remember that you cannot govern ghosts. The incessant drumbeats of conflict and the desperation for power at all costs are a distraction from the real task at hand. “The highest gift you can bequeath to the citizenry is a peaceful nation. Only citizens who are alive and free from fear can be governed, can vote, and can hold you accountable to build a sustainable nation. “Let this Sallah be a turning point. Let us reject the politics of blood and embrace the politics of bread, butter, and peace. Let us use this period to build bridges, not barricades; to foster understanding, not fan the embers of hate. “The unity of working people and the masses, across all divides, is the only force that can counter the forces of destruction. It is time to build a democracy that benefits our people. It is time to let workers and the masses win. It is time to let Nigeria win. “May this Sallah bring not just feasting, but a lasting feast of peace, justice, and security for all Nigerians.”