Nigeria Cannot Be Renewed Without Its Workers, Says Gbenga Hashim

…As Movement for Democratic Renewal Launches in FCT in Partnership with NLC

The Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party and Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has declared that Nigeria’s democratic and socio-economic renewal cannot be achieved without the active participation of the nation’s workforce, describing organised labour as a critical force in rebuilding the country.

Hashim made the declaration during the official launch of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), held at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Labour House in Abuja in collaboration with the NLC FCT Council.

The event attracted labour leaders, coordinators of affiliate unions, civil society actors and other democratic stakeholders, who gathered to inaugurate the movement in the FCT and mobilise support for a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting democratic renewal, accountable leadership and national restoration.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kamaldeen Adebayo Sanni, Hashim stressed that Nigerian workers should no longer be regarded merely as voters during election periods but as indispensable partners in governance, public policy formulation and national development.

“Nigeria cannot be renewed without its workers. Workers are not just voters; they are nation builders. They must become equal partners in governance, policy-making and national development,” he said.

He outlined the movement’s key priorities, including expanding economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, technology, vocational skills development and agricultural value chains; improving access to quality education and digital literacy; strengthening affordable healthcare; enhancing citizens’ security through institutional reforms; and promoting leadership founded on competence, integrity and merit.

Hashim also reaffirmed his confidence in the rule of law despite the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his emergence as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to democratic principles.

In his remarks, Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, Comrade Stephen Nnabayi, described the launch as timely, noting that Nigeria is grappling with serious socio-economic and political challenges that require organised labour to once again play a leading role in defending democracy, protecting workers’ rights and promoting good governance.

He commended the leadership of the Movement for Democratic Renewal for partnering with organised labour to build a broad-based coalition committed to national transformation.

Presenting the vision of the movement, Comrade Nanman Philemon Kash explained that the MDR was established as a broad national coalition dedicated to democratic accountability, responsible leadership, transparency, social justice, workers’ political participation, youth and women inclusion, national unity and people-centred economic reforms.

According to her, the movement seeks to reconnect citizens with governance while promoting ethical leadership capable of restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Also speaking, Hashim’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Chukwunyere Akwiti, emphasised that respect for the rule of law remains essential to democratic stability and urged Nigerians to strengthen their confidence in constitutional institutions and the judicial process.

The Director-General of the Hashim Grassroots Mobilisation Movement, Pastor Ayinla Samuel, called for sustained grassroots engagement, stressing that genuine democratic change must originate from communities, workplaces and polling units rather than being driven solely by political elites.

A major highlight of the event was an interactive session during which labour leaders identified rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, weak democratic institutions, the need for electoral reforms, declining workers’ influence in governance and poor political accountability as some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.

Participants unanimously agreed that Nigeria has reached a critical point in its democratic journey, requiring stronger institutions, greater accountability and increased participation by workers in shaping public policy and national leadership.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment by the Movement for Democratic Renewal and the Nigeria Labour Congress to strengthen their collaboration in mobilising Nigerians in support of democratic reforms, accountable governance, social justice and national renewal.

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