Labour movement and its civil society allies on Thursday May 8, 2008 undertook a protest march to the nation's seat of power in Abuja where they submitted a protest letter urging President Umar Musa Yar'Adua to back the ongoing corruption probe by the National Assembly with a judicial commission of inquiry in order to assuage the feelings of Nigerians.

Addressing the rally with the Senate Chairman on Labour, Wilson Ake and his House of Representatives counterpart, Ado Dogo, in attendance, Abdulwaheed Omar, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), presented a copy of NLC's letter to the Senate President, David Mark, and Speaker Dimeji Bankole.

The president was told that the efforts of the National Assembly at unraveling the rot in the last administration should be supported by the executive.

"The nation, therefore, needs to go beyond the administrative steps taken by your administration and the investigation by the National Assembly. What is required and that which we demand is the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry.

"Such a commission can much more comprehensively enquire into the corrupt practices, recover mismanaged or embezzled funds, bring culprits to book and generally restore people's confidence in government and governance," the letter said.

In a letter addressed to the President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Omar called for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to carry out a comprehensive inquisition into the corrupt practices, recover mismanaged or embezzled public funds and bring culprits to book.

He said "The Nigerian workers would not accept any cover for anyone linked with looting the nation's wealth".

He added "There should be no sacred cows in this. Given the conflicting figures being bandied by different government officials, with respect to the power sector, it is imperative that the Auditor-General carries out a comprehensive audit of both the Ministry of Power and the relevant parastatals like NEPA and NIPP from 1999 to 2007," the NLC said.

He, however, challenged President Umaru Yar'Adua to rebuild confidence and trust in government by conducting a comprehensive probe, not only in the power sector, but all sectors of the economy, where corruption has been reported.

But, the representative of the Senate President, Wilson Ake, while receiving the letter on behalf of the Senate, assured Nigerians that the lawmakers are ready to pursue the corruption probe to its logical conclusion.

"We, your representatives are happy that you are solidly behind us. It is our resolve to pursue the probe without fear or favour untill we get to the root of the matter, "he said.

He, however, said the National Assembly will not disappoint Nigerians in the task at bringing corrupt past leaders to justice.