Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday led a protest to the National Assembly ahead of the clause by clause voting on the ongoing constitution review process.
Organized Labour wants the lawmakers to include in the exclusive legislative list, autonomy for the judiciary, state legislatures, local governments as well as give powers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all local council elections in the country.
The protest started at the headquarters of the NLC, Central Business District, Abuja, as early as 9am on Monday.
This week, the National Assembly will begin proceedings to amend sections of the constitution allegedly hindering growth in the country.
NLC President Ayuba Wabba, who led the protest, said governance at the grassroot level has been mortgaged by a few individuals with vested interest.
He said for too long, local government administrations have been at the mercy of state governors, who divert funds meant for infrastructural development at the grassroots to other purposes.
Wabba said the situation where people troop from the rural areas to urban centres on daily basis cannot be unconnected with the alienation of the local government councils in Nigeria, saying that when they lack basic necessities of life they are left with no option than to migrate to the city centres.
