WoPU Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Launches ‘Responsible Citizen’ Campaign

WoPU Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Launches ‘Responsible Citizen’ Campaign

Abuja — The grassroots advocacy group, Working People United (WoPU), has thrown its weight behind the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that despite the short-term hardships associated with the reforms, policy continuity remains crucial to achieving long-term national stability and economic prosperity.

The group made the declaration at its Good Governance Summit held recently at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where it also unveiled its new civic engagement initiative tagged “Responsible Citizen”, aimed at promoting patriotism, civic responsibility and active participation in national development.

Addressing participants at the summit, the National Coordinator General of WoPU, Comrade Williams Eniredona Akporeha, described the movement as a broad-based grassroots platform representing millions of Nigerians across both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

He said the organisation was established to serve as the collective voice of Nigeria’s working population, including civil servants, artisans, traders, transport workers, professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs and youths, with the objective of ensuring that government policies translate into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.

According to him, Nigeria’s workforce remains the backbone of the nation’s economy and deserves a stronger voice in governance and policy formulation.

“The working people are the heartbeat of Nigeria. They are the teachers in our classrooms, the healthcare workers in our hospitals, the farmers feeding the nation, the traders sustaining our markets, the transport workers moving people and goods, the artisans creating value and the entrepreneurs driving innovation. Without the working people, there can be no meaningful national development,” he said.

Akporeha noted that although the Tinubu administration’s reforms had imposed significant economic pressure on households through rising food prices, transportation costs and energy expenses, the country was paying the price for decades of structural distortions that had been left unresolved.

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He argued that the current administration had chosen to confront the root causes of the nation’s economic challenges rather than continue with temporary measures that only addressed symptoms.

“We recognise that the pains are real, but avoiding reform would have been even more dangerous. Reform, however, must ultimately deliver measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. That is why we support policy continuity while demanding results,” he stated.

The WoPU leader further explained that the summit was convened to undertake an objective assessment of the government’s performance, bridge the disconnect between policy formulation and grassroots realities, and provide practical recommendations for improved governance.

He stressed that the movement was not a political pressure group but a civic platform committed to national development, accountability and inclusive governance.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the “Responsible Citizen” campaign, which Akporeha said seeks to encourage Nigerians to embrace integrity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence, respect for the rule of law and constructive participation in nation-building.

He urged Nigerians to refrain from actions capable of undermining the country’s image, noting that responsible citizenship requires citizens to balance demands for good governance with responsible conduct.

“Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Every Nigerian has a duty to obey the law, respect the rights of others, promote peace, contribute positively to society and project the country positively wherever they may be,” he said.

Segun Esan urges citizens to match demands for good governance with civic responsibility

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the summit, the National Public Relations Officer of WoPU, Mr. Segun Esan, said the organisation’s “Responsible Citizen” initiative was designed to complement its advocacy for accountable governance by encouraging Nigerians to become active participants in national development rather than mere observers.

Esan explained that while citizens have every right to demand transparency, accountability and improved service delivery from government, they also have corresponding obligations to obey the law, pay taxes where applicable, protect public infrastructure and contribute positively to their communities.

He noted that WoPU’s growing nationwide membership reflects the desire of ordinary Nigerians to engage constructively in governance, adding that the organisation would continue to sensitise workers, artisans, market associations, professionals and youths on their civic duties through sustained public enlightenment programmes across the country.

The spokesman further called on governments at all levels to sustain dialogue with citizens and ensure that economic reforms produce visible improvements in the welfare of the people. He expressed confidence that greater collaboration between government and citizens would strengthen democracy, promote national unity and accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

The summit attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, ministers, members of the National Assembly, state government representatives, labour leaders, market associations, artisans, professionals, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from across the country. It featured discussions on governance, economic reforms, citizen participation and strategies for strengthening national development.

WoPU Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Launches ‘Responsible Citizen’ Campaign