The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal and State Governments of deliberately suppressing dissent, undermining democratic institutions, and illegally seizing workers’ contributions, actions it described as theft of workers’ hard-earned sweat. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made these claims during the opening ceremony of the 21st Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, warning that the country was teetering on the edge of tyranny. Ajaero lamented that Nigeria’s democratic space — which should protect freedoms — has become a battleground where workers’ rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and political participation are under attack. He further alleged that the intensifying crackdown on civil liberties and union activities is a deliberate strategy to silence workers’ voices ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Governance has been abandoned for 2027 politicking. Leaders who should be working to alleviate suffering are instead consumed by power games, leaving workers and ordinary Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship and mounting insecurity, all imposed by their policies,” he said.