Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, says labour and gender issues will be decisive in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at separate labour events in Ilorin and Kano last week, Aremu listed mass decent employment, non-retrenchment, job creation, job security, regular payment of salaries and pensions, gender equity, and security as key factors that will influence how organized labour and millions of informal workers vote in the presidential and state polls.
On Saturday, April 12, Aremu led MINILS management to confer the institute’s Fellowship on Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Government House, Kano.
Comrade Aremu said the honour recognized Yusuf’s commitment to the decent work agenda of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through public service job creation, job security, and payment of pension and gratuity arrears owed by past administrations.
The event, held at the Government House parade ground, drew hundreds of pensioners led by National Union of Pensioners (NUP) President, Kano NLC Chairman Comrade Kabir Inua, former NLC Presidents Ayuba Wabba and Abdulwaheed Umar, and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.
Comrade Aremu said the ceremony amounted to a labour endorsement of Governor Yusuf for a second term.
He commended Governor Yusuf for following the footprint of progressive labour market policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by implementing the increased minimum wage, clearing pension arrears, and avoiding retrenchment amid revenue challenges.
Highlight of the event was the disbursement of the sixth batch of gratuities and death benefits worth N5 billion.
The Yusuf administration has so far paid N33 billion out of accumulated pension arrears.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda praised Yusuf’s performance, saying his administration had met expectations for an incumbent seeking re-election through people-oriented programmes and commitment to improving citizens’ welfare.
Yilwatda pledged support for Yusuf and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
In his response, Governor Yusuf thanked MINILS for the honour and pledged to sustain development efforts. He assured that Kano people would support President Tinubu’s re-election.
Beneficiaries of the gratuity payment said the funds had eased hardship and restored hope.
