By Joy Salami
The Working People United (WoPU) has inaugurated its Kogi State chapter, charging the newly constituted State Executive Council to embark on massive grassroots mobilisation across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The organisation also declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, as well as for Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
The National Coordinator-General of WoPU, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha, gave the charge at the inauguration ceremony
held at Fen Hotel, Lokoja. He was represented by the National Secretary-General, Comrade Hon. Sunday Oladapo.
According to him, WoPU is a grassroots movement of over 70 million working Nigerians across the 36 states, the FCT, 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards. He said the movement was founded on the belief that the strength and prosperity of Nigeria depend on the unity, productivity and welfare of its people.
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He explained that WoPU exists “to advocate good policies and to support good politics”, adding that working people should not only demand accountability but also identify and back leaders who can deliver good governance. Its constituency, he said, includes artisans, traders, farmers, transporters, civil servants, professionals, youths and women, in both the formal and informal sectors.
He disclosed that the immediate task before the Kogi chapter is to establish a strong presence in all 21 local government areas, wards and communities of the state.
On President Tinubu, he said WoPU was convinced that the Renewed Hope Agenda had brought tangible benefits to Nigerian workers, citing the new national minimum wage, the Student Loan Scheme, and support for small businesses and social investment programmes. He acknowledged that the removal of the petrol subsidy caused hardship, but said the President inherited an empty treasury and could not continue borrowing to pay salaries.
He also commended Governor Ododo for what he described as achievements in healthcare, workers’ welfare and agriculture, including the revitalisation of over 150 primary healthcare centres and a ₦300,000 monthly incentive for medical doctors.
Members were urged to mobilise support for the governor and for APC candidates, and to “reject intimidation”, with Section 40 of the Constitution cited as guaranteeing freedom of association.
Oladapo stressed that WoPU’s definition of working people goes beyond the conventional distinction between formal and informal workers. “When you say worker, I want to correct that. Say working people,” he said, adding that anyone who works to earn a living, whether unionised or not, is a member of the organisation.
He said working people had in the past only voted in elections without taking part in mobilisation, and that WoPU intended to change this. “By the time we want to criticise, we can criticise from within,” he said, adding that working people would also be invited to contribute when policies affecting their livelihoods are being made.
The newly inaugurated Kogi State Coordinator of WoPU, Comrade Dauda Enessi, pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by the national leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Enessi thanked the National Coordinator-General and the national leadership team for their vision, direction and support, and for their confidence in the people of Kogi State. He said he and the entire State Executive Council accepted the responsibility “with humility” but with a firm determination to work.
Comrade Enessi further stated that the chapter would focus on strengthening its organisational structure, enhancing mobilisation, and promoting disciplined and responsible leadership to build a formidable platform for the advancement of workers’ interests.
He commended President Tinubu for his courage and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that leadership comes with difficult decisions, and prayed for God to grant him wisdom, strength and good health. He also paid tribute to Governor Ododo for improving infrastructure, supporting human capital development and extending the dividends of governance to the grassroots.
Addressing the newly appointed executives, Enessi described the inauguration as a call to service rather than a reward. He emphasized that the people, workers, artisans, women, and youth are all looking up to the new leadership for direction and meaningful service.
He charged them to repay that confidence with loyalty, discipline and purposeful mobilisation, urging them to take the message to the grassroots, listen to the people and ensure their concerns are heard.
Enessi also called for unity among members, saying WoPU must be a platform that brings people together and not one that divides.
