In what has been described as a landslide reaffirmation of trust, Comrade Festus Osifo has been emphatically re-elected President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, sparking a wave of praise from labour leaders nationwide — chief among them, the Delta State/South-South Chairman of the TUC, Dr. Bolum Martin Nwachukwu, who has hailed the victory as “a resounding vote of confidence in visionary leadership.”
The National Administrative Council of the TUC officially ratified Comrade Osifo’s re-election during the union’s historic quadrennial National Delegates Conference, held under high security and tight deliberations on Friday evening in Abuja. In a rare show of solidarity, Osifo and 18 members of his executive were returned unopposed — an outcome that has stunned political observers and labour stakeholders alike, and one that underscores his formidable grip on the union’s national agenda.
Speaking to journalists in a post-conference media briefing, an elated Dr. Bolum did not mince words in his commendation. “Comrade Festus Osifo has steered the ship of TUC through stormy waters with unmatched courage, intellectual depth, and grassroots connection. His re-election isn’t just a personal victory, it’s a declaration that Nigerian workers will no longer be silenced or sidelined. It’s a new dawn for labour.”
With his trademark passion and unapologetic advocacy, Dr. Bolum lauded Osifo’s first-term achievements, pointing to the union’s bold interventions during subsidy protests, engagement in minimum wage dialogues, and protection of workers’ rights in both the formal and informal sectors. “He’s not only been a voice; he’s been a shield and a sword,” Dr. Bolum said.
Osifo’s re-election arrives at a crucial time for Nigeria’s labour movement, as inflation bites harder, job insecurity festers, and economic reforms continue to pressure the working class. “The battle isn’t over,” Nwachukwu warned. “If anything, it has just begun. We expect more from Comrade Osifo — more courage, more action, and more transformation. This second term must be historic.”
Insiders say the unity displayed at the conference was unprecedented, a rare feat in an era often marred by intra-union rivalry. The unopposed return of the entire executive is being seen as a clear endorsement of Osifo’s leadership style — one defined by consultation, policy sharpness, and activist resolve.
As the dust settles from Friday night’s re-election, all eyes now turn to Osifo and his reassembled team. With the burden of hope heavy on their shoulders, and the trust of millions of workers behind them, their next steps could shape the future of Nigerian labour for years to come.
Is Osifo ready for the weight of history? The answer, it seems, lies not in the applause of Friday’s victory — but in the battles that await TUC.
Discussion about this post