The NLC's stance follows a statement by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who reiterated that civil servants are barred from partisan politics due to public service rules.
However, NLC President Joe Ajaero countered that this position contradicts the 1999 Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. He cited Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble freely, associate with others, and form or belong to any political party or trade union.
Ajaero referenced the landmark case of INEC and AGF vs Musa and Others (2003), in which the Supreme Court ruled that civil and public servants are entitled to partisan political participation.
The NLC leader emphasized that the Public Service Rules cannot supersede the Constitution, and that civil servants are only required to resign once they become party candidates, not before participating in party politics.
Ajaero urged workers nationwide to assert their constitutional rights without fear, stating, "We call on all civil servants and workers in the private sector to engage in partisan politics. It is their unfettered constitutional right. Denying them this is nothing short of an assault on democracy."