Lagos Workers Form WoPU to Mobilise Support For Tinubu, Hamzat

Lagos Workers Form WoPU to Mobilise Support For Tinubu, Hamzat
Akporeha stressed that the event was not a campaign rally but part of efforts to establish the group’s organisational structure ahead of the 2027 elections
She described Tinubu as a leader the workers had “tested” and “trusted”, adding that the group wanted to participate in the political process and mobilise support for his re-election

Workers from various trade unions in Lagos State have launched a political support group, Working People United (WoPU), to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the group was unveiled on Wednesday at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Ikeja, where hundreds of workers from both the formal and informal sectors gathered to inaugurate its Lagos chapter.

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Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, National Union of Nigerian Welders, Farmers Association of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, among others, were represented at the event.

Speaking at the unveiling, the National Coordinator of WoPU and immediate past President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, said the group was established to support Tinubu and other candidates whose policies align with its vision for the country.

Akporeha stressed that the event was not a campaign rally but part of efforts to establish the group’s organisational structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The event is a political support group for Mr President, Bola Tinubu. The major purpose of this group is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other progressive-minded candidates whose policies we believe will mean well for this country,” he said.

He added that WoPU had already established chapters in Kano, Katsina, Delta and Osun states and was expanding its structure across the country.

The Lagos Coordinator of WoPU and Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State chapter, Funmi Sessi, said the group was created to give workers in both the formal and informal sectors a stronger voice in politics and governance.

According to her, workers needed to participate actively in politics to influence policies that would improve their welfare and living conditions.

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC consensus governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat; President Bola Tinubu; and Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

“We also want to be involved in politics so that our voices can be heard in policies that will bring about development and relief for the working class,” Sessi said.

She described Tinubu as a leader the workers had “tested” and “trusted”, adding that the group wanted to participate in the political process and mobilise support for his re-election.

Another member of the group, Oluwole Adeleye, said WoPU comprised artisans, farmers, private-sector workers, traders and other Nigerians across the formal and informal sectors.

He said the group was supporting Tinubu because it believed his administration’s policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, were beginning to produce positive results despite the initial difficulties associated with the reforms.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator, Operations, Organisation and Programme of WoPU, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the group’s objective was to mobilise working Nigerians around good governance and national development.

He said workers had a major role to play in building the country and should therefore participate actively in determining its political leadership.