The Working People United (WPU) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027, arguing that despite the hardships caused by ongoing economic reforms, continuity is necessary to achieve long-term national stability and growth.
Speaking at the group’s Good Governance Summit 2026 in Abuja on Thursday, National Coordinator Prince William Akporehe said the administration’s reforms have been difficult but warned that avoiding them would have resulted in more severe economic challenges.
Akporehe said President Tinubu’s commitment to reviewing the national minimum wage demonstrates his administration’s willingness to improve workers’ welfare. He added that while reforms are often painful, they must produce tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“Reforms are painful, but avoiding reform would be more dangerous. However, reform must deliver visible and tangible results for all. That is why our strategic message is simple: support continuity and demand results,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the current N70,000 minimum wage is no longer adequate, indicating that an upward review is being considered. Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammad Dingyadi, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to policies aimed at improving productivity, social protection and economic opportunities for workers.
Billy Gillis-Harry, National Coordinator of Operations and Programmes of the group and President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), called for greater involvement of workers in government policy formulation, saying reforms are more likely to succeed when those affected participate in the decision-making process.
Gillis-Harry said the organisation brings together workers from different sectors to contribute to governance and policy discussions. He maintained that stronger engagement between government and labour would improve policy implementation and accountability.
On the proposed minimum wage review, Gillis-Harry said the current wage no longer reflects prevailing economic realities and suggested it should be doubled to N140,000, citing rising costs of transportation, housing, healthcare, education and food.
The summit brought together labour and union leaders from across the country to assess the impact of the Tinubu administration’s policies and discuss strategies for improving workers’ welfare and governance.
