Labour leaders in the country have expressed their disappointment with the President Bola Tinubu-led government, saying the administration is repressive and suppressive.

The National Coordinator of Federal Workers’ Forum (FWF) and former Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Oyo State, Andrew Emelieze; the National Secretary of FWF and Vice Chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State, Itoro Obong; and the Publicity Secretary of FWF, Razaq Yakubu Oseni, stated this in a statement made available to The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

They said they had endured pain for a long time, stressing that federal workers are going through a lot of excruciating experiences.

The statement read: “Our government is not treating us, the federal government workers, well.

“We are really very disappointed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This regime is becoming more and more repressive and suppressive. Is it a crime to be a federal worker?

“Why all this torture of the federal workers? Federal workers are going through a lot that only those in similar conditions can explain. Just imagine, payment of N35,000 wage award meant to cushion the horrible effects of subsidy removal is now a problem. The outstanding five-month wage award since March 2024 payment is now a tug of war that our government will continue to promise and fail. This is not good enough.

“We have been more than patient enough, but our government is treating us as if we do not matter. The Accountant General had promised to pay immediately after April salary, the Minister of Finance also promised to pay up in 48 hours, and the workers have not seen any balance of outstanding wage award.”

The labour activists said the government could not continue to trample on their rights, saying: “We are citizens, we are not slaves.”

The statement read: “Our collective resolve now is that: On Monday, May 2025, all federal workers in Abuja are to resume work at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“We will not entertain any promises again. We shall continue to resume at the Federal Ministry of Finance until we are paid.

“Request for the full implementation of the new national minimum wage latest June salary.

“Payment of the balance of 40% peculiar allowance since August 2024 latest, before June 2025 salary.

“Provisions to start paying Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) latest June salary. Immediate payment of all other arrears owed to the federal workers (promotion arrears, hazard allowance, peculiar allowance balance, DTA, two years’ salaries of elongation officers at the Federal Ministry of Education and so on).

“If on Wednesday 28th May, we are not answered, let protest resume in all federal government secretariats nationwide indefinitely until we are paid.

“All Federal workers are to fully comply except those on essential duties, and it will not be well with anyone who tries to sabotage or betray the struggle.

“No actions or statements on behalf of the federal workers without due consultation with the federal workers.”

The labour leaders said they were compelled to take the action as all other means had yielded no fruit, adding, “We hope and pray the government listens to us as we cannot continue with this act of disloyalty to the federal workers.

“Once again, to the Federal workers in Abuja, on Monday, May 26, 2025, we will swoop on the Federal Ministry of Finance. Please ensure this gets to all federal workers.”