Brussels, 24 May 2007: The ITUC has expressed its support for a national stayaway called by its affiliates NLC and TUC-N, on 29 May, the day of Nigeria’s Presidential inauguration. The Nigerian trade union centres, as part of a broad Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), have condemned the rigging of the April 14th and 21st elections, following which Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was declared President, and have also called for a boycott of the inauguration ceremony.
Fraud and ballot rigging were widespread during the elections, resulting in a major setback for democracy in Africa’s most populous nation, and leading to protests inside the country and heavy criticism from independent election observers.
“It is a tragedy that what should have been a confirmation of democracy turned into such an electoral shambles. This is a major setback for Nigeria, and will do nothing to help democratic progress in the rest of the continent. We fully support the Nigerian trade unions in their call for the stay away and boycott”, said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.
The LASCO is calling on the international community to join it in withholding recognition of Mr Yar’Adua as President, and in boycotting the inauguration.
To see the letter from the LASCO click here
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