The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned those seeking to remove labour provisions in the Constitution from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List to perish the idea.

   The call followed the public hearing held over the weekend on the review of the 1999 Constitution across the six geo-political zones in the country.

   This was as the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) has called on President Bola Tinubu to convene a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) that will draft a new constitution through grassroots and non-partisan representation.

   Meanwhile, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has criticised the frequent push for state creation and constitutional amendments in Nigeria, warning that they are often driven by selfish political interests rather than genuine governance needs.

   NLC vowed that moves by those who want to further impoverish Nigerian workers would be resisted, stating that labour issues must remain in the Exclusive Legislative List to avert negative implications for workers and the economy.  

   In a communique, yesterday, by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, at the meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) in Ogun State, the Congress urged all Nigerian workers to begin mobilisation across the country to picket the offices of any National Assembly member found supporting the removal of labour issues from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.  

   Among other expectations from the review, the NLC noted that the process of the regional public hearings must not be reduced to a ritualistic exercise; rather, it must serve as a historic opportunity to address the structural imbalances that perpetuate underdevelopment, entrench inequities, and stifle the productive forces of our federation. 

   Ajaero said the review must entrench fiscal federalism that empowers sub-national governments to drive economic development and reforms to close the leadership recruitment gaps that have bred mediocrity and state capture. 

   He added that the review must strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system to ensure that electoral outcomes are truly reflective of the sovereign will of the people rather than products of rigging, vote-buying and other malpractices that have delegitimised democratic governance. 

   In an open letter dated July 6, 2025, GAFAMORG challenged the President to take “an uncommon step” that past administrations were afraid to take.

   The organisation proposed a structure where each of Nigeria’s 774 local councils would elect one delegate, while over 225 professional, religious, youth, labour and civil society groups would also elect their representatives, excepting political parties, godfathers or appointed delegates.

   “The People’s Constitution will not be approved by the National Assembly,” the letter stated. “This is not a political document; it is the People’s Charter.”

   According to GAFAMORG, the new constitution would be drafted after a deep national dialogue and submitted to a public referendum. If the people vote “yes”, it would replace the 1999 Constitution.

   The group appealed to Tinubu to make history by giving power back to the people.

   Aondoakaa, in an interview on ARISE News, said most of the states already in existence were unable to survive independently and depend heavily on federal allocations, making the push for new states not only unnecessary but irresponsible.

   He said, “It is only in Nigeria that state creation has become a ritual. It is as if at every session of the legislature, a constitutional amendment is on the table. Constitutional amendment is supposed to be done on very serious matters that have been tested, and the injustice occasioned by the previous provision is identified.”

   The former AGF argued that the 1999 Constitution, though imperfect, has not failed the country to the extent that it must be constantly amended with every National Assembly. 

   Aondoakaa’s comments came amid a fresh wave of calls by lawmakers and interest groups for the creation of additional states and sweeping constitutional changes, including debates on restructuring and rotational presidency.