Presidential candidate of the Accord Party and Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has declared that Nigeria cannot achieve genuine democratic renewal without placing workers at the centre of governance, insisting that organised labour must move beyond its traditional role as an election-time voting bloc to become an equal partner in rebuilding the nation.
Hashim made the declaration at the formal inauguration of the Movement for Democratic Renewal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), held at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Labour House in Abuja in collaboration with the NLC FCT Council.
The event drew labour leaders, coordinators of affiliate unions and other democratic stakeholders who gathered to inaugurate the movement in the FCT and rally support for what organisers described as a nationwide campaign for democratic renewal, accountable leadership and national restoration.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Kamaldeen Adebayo Sanni, the Accord Party presidential candidate said Nigeria’s future depends on giving workers a greater voice in governance and policymaking, arguing that those who drive the nation’s economy should also play a central role in determining its direction.
“Nigeria cannot be renewed without its workers. Workers are not just voters; they are nation-builders. They must become equal partners in governance, policy-making and national development,” he declared.
Hashim outlined the movement’s agenda, which includes expanding economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, technology, vocational skills and agricultural value chains, improving access to quality education and digital literacy, strengthening affordable healthcare, reforming institutions to enhance security, and promoting leadership based on competence, integrity and merit.
He also reaffirmed his confidence in the rule of law despite ongoing legal proceedings relating to his emergence as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate, urging his supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to democratic principles while allowing the courts to determine the matter.
Earlier, Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, Comrade Stephen Nnabayi, described the launch of the movement as timely, saying Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, insecurity and political challenges require organised labour to play a more decisive role in defending democracy, protecting workers’ rights and promoting accountable governance.
He commended the partnership between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Movement for Democratic Renewal, describing it as the beginning of a broad coalition committed to rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Presenting the vision of the movement, Comrade Nanman Philemon Kash said the MDR was established as a national coalition dedicated to democratic accountability, responsible leadership, transparency, social justice, workers’ political participation, youth and women inclusion, national unity and people-centred economic reforms.
According to her, the movement seeks to reconnect Nigerians with governance and promote ethical leadership capable of restoring confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Hashim’s legal adviser, Chukwunyere Akwiti, stressed that respect for the rule of law remains indispensable to democratic stability, urging Nigerians to strengthen their confidence in constitutional institutions and judicial processes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Hashim Grassroots Mobilisation Movement, Pastor Ayinla Samuel, called for sustained grassroots mobilisation, arguing that meaningful democratic change must be driven from communities, workplaces and polling units rather than by political elites alone.
During an interactive session, labour leaders identified rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, weak democratic institutions, declining workers’ influence in governance, poor political accountability and the need for electoral reforms as some of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges.
Participants agreed that the country has reached a defining moment that demands stronger democratic institutions, responsible leadership and greater participation by workers in shaping public policy and national development.
The event ended with a renewed commitment by the Movement for Democratic Renewal and the Nigeria Labour Congress to deepen collaboration in mobilising Nigerians around democratic reforms, accountable governance, social justice and national renewal.