The grassroots advocacy group, Working People United (WoPU), has backed the economic reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu, saying policy continuity is necessary despite the hardship associated with the reforms.

The group stated this at its Good Governance Summit held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where it also launched a civic engagement campaign, Responsible Citizen, to promote patriotism, civic responsibility and active participation in national development.

Speaking at the summit, the National Coordinator General of WoPU, Williams Eniredona Akporeha, described the organisation as a grassroots platform representing Nigerians in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

He said the group was established to serve as the collective voice of workers, including civil servants, artisans, traders, transport workers, professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs and youths, while advocating policies that improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the country’s workforce remains central to economic development and should have a stronger voice in governance and public policy.

“The working people are the heartbeat of Nigeria. They are the teachers in our classrooms, the healthcare workers in our hospitals, the farmers feeding the nation, the traders sustaining our markets, the transport workers moving people and goods, the artisans creating value and the entrepreneurs driving innovation. Without the working people, there can be no meaningful national development,” he said.

Akporeha acknowledged that the Federal Government’s economic reforms had increased pressure on households through higher food prices, transport fares and energy costs, but argued that the measures were aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges.

He said while the hardship was real, abandoning the reforms would have been more damaging, adding that the policies must eventually translate into better living conditions for Nigerians.

“We recognise that the pains are real, but avoiding reform would have been even more dangerous. Reform, however, must ultimately deliver measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. That is why we support policy continuity while demanding results,” he said.

He added that the summit provided an opportunity to assess the government’s performance, bridge the gap between policy formulation and grassroots realities, and make recommendations for improved governance.

Akporeha also maintained that WoPU is a civic organisation committed to accountability, inclusive governance and national development, rather than a political pressure group.

As part of the event, the organisation unveiled its Responsible Citizen campaign, which he said would encourage Nigerians to embrace integrity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence, respect for the rule of law and constructive participation in nation-building.

He urged citizens to complement their demand for good governance with responsible conduct, saying nation-building requires both government and citizens to play their respective roles.

Also speaking, the National Public Relations Officer of WoPU, Segun Esan, said the Responsible Citizen campaign was designed to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in governance while holding public officials accountable.

He said citizens should continue to demand transparency and improved service delivery from government but also fulfil their civic responsibilities, including obeying the law, paying taxes where applicable, protecting public infrastructure and contributing positively to their communities.

Esan said the organisation would continue to sensitise workers, artisans, market associations, professionals and youths across the country on civic responsibility through public enlightenment programmes.

He also called on governments at all levels to sustain engagement with citizens and ensure that economic reforms lead to visible improvements in people’s welfare.

The summit attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, ministers, lawmakers, state government representatives, labour leaders, market associations, artisans, professionals and civil society organisations, among others. 

Discussions focused on governance, economic reforms, citizen participation and national development.