President Bola Tinubu took a swipe at the Nigeria Labour Congress for going on protests a few months after his inauguration into office urging its leadership to wait and join the race in the 2027 general elections if they are interested in politics.

The president threw his jibe while inaugurating the Lagos State Red Line rail project, which is a 37 37-kilometer north-south rail route that will run from Agbado in Ogun State to Marina with 13 stations. The swipe came just two days after organised labour embarked on a nationwide protest against hunger and the high cost of living in the country.

On February 27, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other related organizations—took to the streets to demonstrate against the financial hardship brought on by the president’s removal of the fuel subsidy from the previous year. The NLC faulted the federal government’s failure to fulfil the agreement they signed last year.

However, while addressing the people present at the commissioning of the rail project, President Tinubu insinuated that the organised labour’s agitation was politically motivated and they are not the only voice representing the Nigerian people. He added that the Labour union’s call for strike is unacceptable.

Allow me to throw a jibe here , the Labour Union should understand that no matter how much we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for strike within nine months of an administration is unacceptable.

“If you want to participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027. If not, maintain peace. You are not the only voice of Nigerians.”

The president further pointed at corruption and smuggling as the the cause of the hardship in the country, adding that corrupt elements are fighting back but his administration will not back down until corruption is eliminated.

He also insisted that despite the economic hardship in the country, his administration will not rescind its stand on the economic reform he has begun since the first day of his administration.

“I agree smuggling will fight back, corruption will fight back. We will fight them. Corruption will go away.

“We’ll save the money for you, to educate our children, to pay for the healthcare system of our people, to pay for modern transportation system and work for highest number of people.

“The fight is on, we’re not looking back, we said we can do it, you believed in us. We said the people’s lives will end up being better, you believed in us. I could hear a lot of voices right now, I asked for this job, I cannot complain, it’s all about democracy.

“But this revolution that has started, this reform that is ongoing, we are not looking back. The engineering, the construction, and the affirmation of our pledge to be loyal to our country. There is one thing I know is that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel,” he stated.

Speaking about the rail project, the president, who was the pioneer of the project while he was the governor of Lagos State, applauded the completion of the first phase of the project. He also indicated that the project is evidence of the good vision he had to transform Lagos state transportation.

“I am pleased to declare to you that the momentum of greatness that we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has since become an unstoppable goal,” he said of the process that led to the completion of the 37-kilometres intra-state rail service, adding that it was aimed at improving transportation within the city.
“It is not a crime to dream and dream big; just stay focused and stay on course.”

Also giving the details of the red line rail project, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor explained that the rail will be spanning 37 kilometres from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos State.

In addition, he said that the project’s 30-month completion time was only possible because of engineering prowess and perseverance, and that it will transform commuter experiences while addressing issues like traffic congestion and road safety.

“With eight strategic stations, including Ikeja, Oshodi, and Yaba, the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line integrates seamlessly with existing transport networks, offering smoother connectivity for millions.

“Over 4.2 million Lagosians have already embraced our Cowry cards, uniting road, marine, and rail transport in a single, integrated system. This shows our readiness for a smarter, interconnected Lagos.

“Our Strategic Transport Master Plan outlines an ambitious blueprint for Lagos’ transport future, including six rail lines, a monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and an extensive road network. With two rail lines now complete, we’re just getting started”, he concluded.