The National Coordinator General of Working People United (WoPU), Comrade Prince Williams Akporeha, has said Nigerian workers must move beyond merely demanding good governance to actively supporting leaders and policies that promote national development.
Akporeha spoke on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during the inauguration of the Delta State chapter of WoPU in Asaba, where the group’s executive members, led by Comrade Ogberetitinor Obatarhe as State Coordinator, were sworn into office by the General Secretary of the organisation, Comrade Sunday Oladapo.
The WoPU leader said the movement was established as both a civic organisation and a political platform committed to advancing workers’ interests through advocacy for sound public policies and participation in the democratic process.
“Working People United is both a civic organisation and a political movement. We stand for good governance, good policies and responsible political participation,” Akporeha said.
He explained that the organisation brings together workers from both the formal and informal sectors, insisting that every productive Nigerian deserves a voice in shaping governance.
According to him, the movement is not limited to organised labour but also embraces traders, farmers, artisans and other citizens whose livelihoods are directly affected by government policies.
Akporeha formally inaugurated the Delta State chapter, describing the state as the appropriate starting point for the nationwide movement because it is his home state.
He charged the newly inaugurated leadership to mobilise workers across the state in support of good governance while expanding the organisation’s membership.
The WoPU National Coordinator disclosed that the organisation had endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, representing Delta North, based on what he described as their commitment to progressive governance.
“Where we identify leaders committed to good governance, we will openly support them and mobilise workers behind them,” he stated.
Defending the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, Akporeha acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy initially generated opposition from organised labour, including himself, but said subsequent engagements with the President convinced him that the reforms were necessary.
He recalled participating in meetings with President Tinubu as a labour leader to protest the subsidy removal before gaining a clearer understanding of the administration’s economic position.
“The policies may be difficult today, but if you look beyond the immediate pain, you will see they are laying the foundation for a stronger economy,” he said.
Akporeha argued that the reforms had improved the ability of governments at different levels to pay workers’ salaries and pension obligations while creating room for regular wage reviews.
He praised the Federal Government’s decision to reduce the interval for negotiating the national minimum wage from five years to three years, describing it as evidence of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
Rejecting suggestions that WoPU was sponsored by politicians, Akporeha insisted that the movement was independently funded and driven by its members.
“No politician is funding this organisation. This is an initiative of working people who believe workers should have a constructive voice in governance,” he declared.
He also criticised what he described as a culture of focusing only on government shortcomings while ignoring positive achievements.
According to him, WoPU would maintain an objective approach by applauding good policies while holding public office holders accountable where necessary.
“When government gets it right, we must say so. When it gets it wrong, we must also speak. That is the objective position of Working People United,” he added.
Akporeha said the movement had already commenced expansion across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that although the immediate focus was the 2027 general elections, the organisation’s vision extended well beyond the electoral cycle.
He urged the newly inaugurated Delta State leadership to build a strong grassroots structure capable of mobilising workers and other productive citizens across every community in the state.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated executive, Delta State Coordinator of WoPU, Comrade Ogberetitinor Obatarhe, accepted the responsibility of leading the organisation in the state and pledged to build a vibrant grassroots movement committed to civic engagement and good governance.
Obatarhe assured the national leadership that the Delta chapter would strictly abide by the constitution and regulations of the organisation while working to expand its membership across the state.
“On behalf of everyone sworn into office today, we wholeheartedly accept this responsibility and pledge to pilot the affairs of Working People United in Delta State to an enviable height,” Obatarhe said.
The state coordinator said organised labour had a long tradition of mobilisation and expressed confidence that the new executive would leverage that experience to strengthen the organisation’s presence in communities across Delta State.
According to him, the chapter would intensify public enlightenment, particularly among young people, to promote civic responsibility and encourage greater understanding of government policies.
“Many of our people, especially the youth, are not adequately informed about the performance of government. We will use social media and every available platform to reach them and promote responsible civic participation,” he stated.
Obatarhe also pledged to embark on an aggressive membership drive aimed at making the Delta State chapter one of the strongest in the country.
“We will work assiduously to ensure that the number of people registering with Working People United in Delta State grows significantly. We are committed to delivering on the mandate entrusted to us,” he added.
The inauguration ended with a renewed commitment by the national and Delta State leadership of WoPU to build a broad-based movement of workers across the formal and informal sectors, using grassroots mobilisation, civic education and advocacy to promote good governance and influence public policy.
