The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed that Nigerian workers, including civil servants, have the constitutional right to participate in partisan politics, contrary to claims by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the Head of Service’s statement is “anomalous” and contradicts the 1999 Constitution and Supreme Court rulings.
In a statement issued on Monday, signed by Comrade Ajaero, the congress said it was “alarmed” by the reemergence of the issue after it was addressed in the run-up to the 2023 general election.
Ajaero cited that Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian’s right to assemble freely and associate with others, including forming or belonging to political parties or trade unions.
”Sections 66(1), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(g), 142(2), 182, 187(2), and 222, affirm the right of civil servants to participate in politics and contest elective positions, provided they resign at least 30 days before an election, ” he said.
The NLC also cited the Supreme Court ruling in INEC and AGF vs Musa and Others (2003), where the court declared that public office holders and civil servants have the freedom to assemble and associate with others, form and belong to any political party, or trade union.
The NLC viewed the Head of Service’s statement as a personal opinion not founded on law.
The congress urged Nigerian workers in both public and private sectors to actively engage in partisan politics as part of their civic responsibilities.
It emphasised that denying workers this right was an assault on democracy.
