The Labour Party (LP) has asked both President Goodluck Jonathan and the president-elect, Muhammodu Buhari, to factor the welfare of workers, especially those being owed salaries by some state governments, into their transition plans.

The party frowned at the apparent lack of concern for workers’ condition by the powers that be, wondering whether it is the federal government or the states that are to blame for the ugly state of affairs in the economy.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Secretary of the LP, Kayode Ajulo.

“A situation where some state governments owe workers’ salaries up to seven months is not only unacceptable but shameful. It is most despicable that instead of addressing the issue of workers’ welfare, an atmosphere of criminal silence pervades the political arena, while duelling on ministerial lists and petty inner party squabbles.

“It is our belief in the LP that the Jonathan administration, although left with only very few days in office, still owes Nigerians explanation whether the government still owes states allocations? Has there been a change in the percentages allocated to the states?  Or has the federal government short-changed the states in anyway, leading to their dwindling fortunes? Who really is responsible for this mess?” President Jonathan’s government needs to set the record straight.

“Likewise, for the incoming administration, which rode to power on the promise of turning things around and mouthing the ‘change’ mantra, it is appalling that nothing is being said about the working people and their plight. In any country, the working class and the downtrodden constitute the goose that lay the golden egg.

“There is no way any country can prosper without taking cognisance of the special place of workers and ensuring that their wages are paid promptly. Those who promise change but preside in states where workers are owed for several months and show no remorse are clearly profiteers on the popular psyche and quest,” he said.

The statement went further to upbraid the incoming administration, pointing out that: “It is equally untenable that just a few days to handover, the ‘change agents’ have not bothered to come forward with a clear programme to address the plight of Nigeria’s downtrodden.

Rather, those who promised better condition through their  ‘common sense revolution’ are now beginning to sing a different tune, giving admonition that Nigerians should not expect miracles as they cry about empty treasury as if they did not do their feasibility study before accepting responsibility and mounting the podium to make promises.

“For us in LP, this is neither time for political actors to play the blame-game nor engage in empty propaganda, the interest of the working class must be factored into any project of change in such a way that it will better the lots of the workers. Nigerians did not vote for excuses; our people voted for ingenuity, innovation and audacious pursuit of meaningful change in their quality of life.

“Our people did not vote for uncertainty and superficial change; what they desire most are fundamental changes which are measurable empirically and which they can feel palpably in what they eat, their transportation, shelter and the welfare of their families.

“Finally, we in the LP which have reiterated that we will always pitch our tent with the people, believe in robust opposition and are ready to play our part at every time and in all circumstances.”