The Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Sunday urged politicians to accept the results of the forthcoming general elections in good faith to avert violence.
The Secretary-General of the union, Mr Musa Lawal, said candidates and their supporters must “demonstrate gallantry in defeat and magnanimity in victory.”
Lawal gave the advice this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He added that the forthcoming elections should not be turned into a `do or die affair’ to avoid unleashing violence, chaos, hatred and bitterness on innocent Nigerians.
“We have called on all politicians to play politics and contest elections according to the rules and avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily as we prepare for the 2015 general elections.
“There must be winners and losers in every election, therefore, we advocate gallantry by the losers and magnanimity in victory by the winners, because we are all one,’’ the TUC scribe said.
He also advised the National Assembly to facilitate the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), in the interest of the nation’s economy.
“The Congress is weary over the continued uncertainties on the passage of the PIB which is seemingly affecting investment and leading to down-sizing of operations in the industry.
“The Congress is worried that further delay in the passage is inimical to the Nigerian economy in the face of new oil discoveries and its attractions.
“These economies are willing to attract investors with more concessions and waivers that could make Nigeria to be uncompetitive,’’ he said.
Lawal, therefore, urged the Federal Government and NASS to pass the PIB into law in earnest, warning that the TUC may go on strike over the matter.
He advised federal and state governments to cut down on the cost of governance and take “other logical corrective actions to save the economy.”
NAN
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