Ex‑candidate Gbenga Hashim Calls on Nigerian Labour to Guard Democracy

Hashim, a former presidential candidate and energy entrepreneur, met with Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero to discuss the nation’s democratic trajectory. He recalled his own activism as a student union leader in the 1980s and his long‑standing ties to the labour movement.

Hashim said, “Labour played a key role in the struggle for independence, and the working class was also a major force in our effort to end military dictatorship.” He noted that this legacy must continue to safeguard the current democratic dispensation. He also pointed out that the Nigerian labour movement’s commitment has earned global recognition, citing that Joe Ajaero will receive the Arthur Svensson Prize for Trade Union Rights in Oslo, Norway. Finally, Hashim urged the labour movement to play a more active role in protecting the country’s democracy from a gradual shift toward authoritarianism.

Hashim’s appeal frames workers as a vital check on democratic backsliding, linking historical labour power to present‑day political stability. By praising Ajaero’s upcoming international award, he signals that global observers view Nigeria’s labour as a benchmark for rights advocacy. The call suggests that any democratic renewal will depend on how effectively unions translate their organisational strength into civic vigilance.