Politics
WORKERS of various trade unions in Lagos State, under the aegis of Working People United (WoPU), on Wednesday inaugurated a support group for President Bola Tinubu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the 2027 elections.
The inauguration, held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Ikeja, attracted thousands of workers from the formal and informal sectors, including members of transport unions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and other registered trade unions attended the inauguration.
The workers declared their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and Hamzat’s bid, citing the need for good governance and development.
Speaking, Prince Akporeha Williams, the National Coordinator-General of WoPU, said he was not surprised by the large turnout of workers at the event, in show of support for Tinubu.
Williams said Tinubu had laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s development and expressed optimism about the country’s future under his continued leadership.
“We commend Mr President for approving a new national minimum wage, reducing the interval for wage reviews, introducing the student loan scheme, supporting small businesses and expanding social investment programmes.
“The future looks very hopeful and very bright, we believe that the second term will brighten up the horizon and everybody will be better for it,” he said.
Williams described WoPU as a national grassroots movement established to give working people a stronger voice in governance and public affairs.
He said the movement was committed to mobilising workers across Lagos and supporting policies and political leaders capable of delivering good governance.
“WoPU is a national grassroots movement established as a civic and political platform to give working people a stronger voice in governance and public affairs.
“We are a movement built on the belief that the strength, stability, and prosperity of any nation lie in the unity, productivity of its people.
“We are here for two reasons: to advocate good policies and to support good politics.
“Working people should not only demand accountability but also identify and support leaders who have and can deliver good governance,” he said.
Williams said WoPU represented workers across the formal and informal sectors, including artisans, farmers, traders, transporters, professionals and entrepreneurs.
He said the Lagos inauguration would strengthen the movement’s grassroots structures and enable workers to participate actively in the political process.
“Through this inauguration, we are committing to mobilise working people, promote the Renewed Hope Agenda, encourage civic participation, build grassroots structures and support progressive candidates in Lagos State,” he said.
He said WoPU’s assessment of Tinubu followed careful assessment of their records and political programmes.
Speaking on the purpose of the movement, Prince Billy Gillis-Harry, National Coordinator, Operations, Organisation and Programme of WoPU, said it comprised workers from different professions and occupations.
“WoPU is a movement of all like minds — professional, artisan, farmers and all workers.
“This is a movement that is going to change how we participate in the development of this country. We don’t just criticise without reason,” he said.
Gillis-Harry, who is also National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), said the movement was committed to making Nigeria better.
“Our principle is to change this country for the best. We must do our country the best and make Nigeria the best,” he said.
Addressing the workers, Mrs Funmi Sessi, Lagos State Coordinator of WoPU, said workers needed to participate in politics to influence policies affecting the working class.
Sessi, who is also State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the movement was a support group created to mobilise workers for Tinubu and Hamzat.
“What we are doing here today is just to support the re-election of President Tinubu and the candidature of the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat in 2027.
“This is the person we have worked with and believe in just like Tinubu.
“The working class can no longer be passive onlookers. We need to aggressively expand our structure. We will.work.tirelessly to mobilise. The work starts now The good work of Tinubu must continue,” she said.
She said WoPU was not operating as a trade union but was bringing together workers from both formal and informal sectors to pursue common interests.
“We are not talking about union now, we are talking about workers, both in the formal and informal section as in this support group,” she said.
Sessi said workers must become active participants in politics to ensure that their interests were reflected in government policies.
“We want to also be in the politics so that our voices can also be heard for policies that will bring about relief to the working class. We want to participate, organise and mobilise to get this achieved,” she said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle (Sego), State NURTW Chairman, said the union supported Tinubu’s re-election because of his administration’s infrastructure development, particularly road construction.
Adekunle, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Shittu Ganiyu, said the union appreciated the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects across the country.
“We appreciate our Father for great infrastructural development strides, Coastal Highways, Badagry-Sokoto, NELFUNDs. Second, no shaking, 2027 is a victory for Tinubu,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Mr Adedamola Kasunmu, Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, applauded the workers for their large turnout.
Kasunmu described the collaboration between the workers and WoPU as a positive initiative capable of contributing to national development.
“This is a fantastic idea for progress to make Nigeria work,” he said.
(NAN)
A.I
Aug. 12, 2026
Tags: Dr Obafemi Hamzat Mrs Funmi Sessi President Bola Tinubu Prince Akporeha Williams