Alleged Invasion of Secretariat: NLC Issues 14-Days Ultimatum, Threatens Shutdown With Edo Govt, Police
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The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Edo State government and the State Commissioner of Police, to vacate the secretariat of the state chapter of the NLC, or face unprecedented action from the organised Labour.
The ultimatum is contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of the NEC Congress held in Owerri, Imo State, presided over by its national president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The communique denounced the “brazen act of impunity” and the alleged “ransacking of properties and the unlawful removal of items, all in a bid to impose an illegitimate leadership on the workers.”
The communique reads: “The NEC strongly condemned the actions of the police and the governor of Edo State in orchestrating an invasion of the NLC state secretariat.
“This brazen act of impunity included the ransacking of properties and the unlawful removal of items, all in a bid to impose an illegitimate leadership on the workers.
“The NEC, therefore, resolved to give the Edo State Government and the police a deadline of 14 working days, up to January 8, 2025, to vacate the secretariat premises, return all confiscated properties to the Congress, and commit to refraining from further interference in trade union activities.
“Failure to comply will compel the Congress to initiate unprecedented measures in defense of workers’ and trade union rights.”
Meanwhile, the embattled Edo NLC chairman, Comrade Odion Olaye, has said that he has evidence that the state secretariat was invaded.
Olaye said the purpose of the invasion was to oust him out of the office as the chairman of the Edo State NLC.
He, however, insisted that he remains the chairman of NLC in the state, with more years to direct the affairs of the union in the state.
“I was elected on 7th March, 2023 and my first tenure will be elapsing on 6th March 2027. NLC is an organized body.
“It is a body with a recognized authority. You can’t just come from nowhere and said you are now the chairman of the union when you are not elected,” Olaye said.
He added that he has made an official complain to the national leadership of the NLC and other affiliate bodies and they have warned those trying to cause crisis and take over power through the back door to desist from it forthwith.
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