A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF CONFLICTS AND STRIDES OF LABOUR MOVEMENT IN NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC QUEST
Abstract
The history of labour movement in Nigeria is replete with struggles for workers' welfare, cum defense of national interest and cohesion. Labour unions in Nigeria were at the forefront of the ght against colonial domination. Her contributions to political debate have been engaging. They spoke to incumbent socio-political powers. Therefore, activities of labour unions have contributed in deepening democracy in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to interrogate the various roles of labour unions in the sustenance of democracy. Labour unions could be credited with landmark achievements, like the ght against colonialism, military rule, and ght against annulment of 1993 presidential election among others. Union leaders have not escaped public scrutiny as they have been accused of inconsistency due to their romance with government, thus leading to compromise and abandonment of principled position. Nevertheless, in many instances, NLC has shown organizational strength and commitment even in the face of ofcial molestation. This study is of the view that the formation of Labour Party was to promote political inclusion and ideological contents; however, politicians with nancial strength and political structures hijacked the party to realize their political ambitions. The study employed qualitative method of analysis and it relied on secondary data gathered from newspapers, magazines, textbooks, journals and online materials. The paper is historical in its presentation and analysis.
