The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has cautioned Nigerian workers against accepting money in exchange for their votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Osifo said workers must understand the consequences of their electoral decisions, warning that they cannot sell their votes during elections and later expect organised labour to challenge governments that emerge from such choices.

He gave the warning at the 2026 workshop of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos. He was represented at the event by the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro.

The TUC president stressed that workers should approach the coming elections with a clear understanding of their economic and collective interests rather than allowing party loyalty or temporary financial benefits to influence their decisions.

According to him, the choices workers make at the ballot box can have lasting effects on their welfare, making it important for them to support candidates and policies that genuinely protect their interests.

Meanwhile, Olabiyi-Agoro used the occasion to call for improved unity within the organised labour movement, particularly between the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

He urged the two major labour organisations to put their differences aside and work towards a stronger relationship capable of advancing the interests of Nigerian workers.

The PENGASSAN president also suggested that both unions consider signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide a framework for cooperation and ensure they speak with one voice on major labour-related issues.