Lagos workers unveil support group for Tinubu, Hamzat

On Wednesday, trade union workers from across Lagos State unveiled a new political support group called Working People United (WoPU) to back President Bola Tinubu and the APC gubernatorial candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 elections. The gathering, held at the Blue Roof in Ikeja, saw representatives from unions such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.

Speaking at the event, WoPU's National Coordinator and former President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, emphasized that the event was not a campaign rally but a step towards establishing the group's structure across the country. Akporeha stated, "We have not started a campaign. These are just structures we are putting in place." He also mentioned that the group had already formed chapters in Kano, Katsina, Delta, and Osun states, with more to come.

Funmi Sessi, the Lagos State chapter Chairman and WoPU Coordinator, explained that the group aimed to give workers in both formal and informal sectors a voice in politics. She said, "We work in Lagos, and we are Lagosians. You can see that workers, whether in the formal or informal sector, are here. We are not talking about unions now; this is a support group for the re-election of Asiwaju Tinubu."

Oluwole Adeleye, the National President of the Nigerian Civil Service and a member of WoPU, highlighted the group's objective to support good governance. He said, "WoPU stands for Working People United. It is an organisation drawn from both the formal and informal sectors, including artisans, non-uniformed workers, private sellers, farmers, and others." Adeleye emphasized that the group was not about politics but about ensuring good governance.