NUFBTE regrets election postponement

The National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has saved over 165,000 jobs of its members and Nigerians due to the various policies of his government and his response to issues and problems in their sector.

The union also lamented the postponement of the Presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging Nigerians to be calm and exercise their rights in atmosphere of peace during the reschedule election on Saturday.

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The union, however, endorsed President Buhari for the election, and called on its members to support his re-election bid.

“This singular patriotic action of the President Buhari’s Government effectively saved the looming extinction of the affected companies thereby saving direct and indirects jobs of more than 165,000 of Nigerians;” a statement issued by the union and signed by its National President, Comrade Oyelekan Lateef said.

NUFBTE, an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said it took the decision to endorse President Buhari after in-depth and diligent evaluations of his performance as it concerns the union, adding that his government has also impacted on Nigerians.

The statement read: “After an in-depth and diligent evaluations of President Mohammadu Buhari’s performance within a space of three and half years in office most especially as it concerned our union, we are convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that President Buhari’s Government has glaringly impacted our Union and generality of Nigerian positively in diverse ways.”

Comrade Oyelekan who listed the reasons why the union endorsed the President said he had created an unprecedented enabling environment for free Labour/Industrial Relations practice and administration both in the Public and Private Sectors.

He said the President has exhibited uncommon sense of urgency and responsiveness in addressing plights of Manufacturers in their Sector as demonstrated by the approval granted for moratorium period for local sourcing of Tomato Paste and Vegetable Fat.

According to him, his policy action has led to drastic reduction in the importation and smuggling of beverages, spirit wines and confectionaries.

He also pointed out that President Buhari has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to transforming and revolutionizing Infrastructure, Electricity and Rail Transportation system in the Country.

Also, Oyelekan stated the union was extremely impressed with the unprecedented revolution the Government of President Buhari has brought to bear in Agricultural Sector within three years.