…Inaugurates Lagos chapter

Working People United (WoPU), a grassroots civic and political movement, has called for greater participation of working Nigerians in qshaping the country’s economic and political development, saying workers must move beyond demanding accountability from government to actively contributing to decisions and leadership that determine Nigeria’s future.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, made the call yesterday, at the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter of WoPU, stressing that the movement should provie a platform for Nigerians across different sectors of the economy to participate in national development.

Gillis-Harry said working people remained central to Nigeria’s progress, arguing that no meaningful development could be achieved without their contribution.

He said, “Without working people, there is really no progress that can be made,” stressing the need for workers and other Nigerians to support policies and leadership they believe could move the country forward.

He urged members of the movement to embrace responsible citizenship and contribute actively to efforts aimed at strengthening the country.
According to him, WoPU should not be limited to traditional labour structures but should accommodate people working across different sectors of the economy.

His position came as WoPU announced its mobilisation of workers and other members of the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and the emergence of Obafemi Hamzat as Governor in Lagos State.

The National Coordinator-General of WoPU, Williams Akporeha, said the movement had formally endorsed Tinubu for a second term after assessing what it described as the administration’s performance since its inauguration in May 2023.

Akporeha said the decision was informed by what the organisation considered tangible benefits of the administration’s policies to Nigerian workers, including the approval of a new national minimum wage, reduction of the statutory wage review cycle from five years to three years, the student loan scheme, support for small businesses and expansion of social investment programmes.

According to him, “WoPU has formally thrown its weight behind the re-election of President Bola Tinubu GCFR in 2027. This is not a decision taken lightly.”

He urged members of the newly inaugurated Lagos chapter to take the Renewed Hope Agenda to their wards, polling units and communities, while participating actively in the electoral process.

Akporeha also declared WoPU’s support for the emergence of Hamzat and other candidates the movement considers progressive in Lagos State.

He said the organisation would build structures across the state’s local government areas, wards and communities while mobilising workers across the formal and informal sectors.
He said the movement was established to give working people a stronger voice in governance and public affairs, arguing that workers should not only demand accountability from political leaders but should also identify and support leaders capable of delivering good governance.
Akporeha said WoPU’s membership cuts across professionals, artisans, traders, transporters, farmers, entrepreneurs and other income earners.

He added that the movement would promote civic participation by registering new members, educating citizens on government policies and encouraging responsible citizenship.
He charged members to become canvassers for the movement’s political agenda and exercise their constitutional right to vote during elections.

Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Interparliamentary Affairs and Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adedamola Kasumu, said the country’s journey towards the 2027 elections should be marked by unity and peace.

Kasumu stressed that meaningful political deliberations and people-centred development would only be achieved when the benefits of the new agenda reached Nigerians across the country.