The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken the drastic step of dissolving its Edo State Council due to irreconcilable leadership disputes.
The decision was announced by the acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, in a statement issued in Abuja.
According to Upah, the NLC had made several attempts to reconcile the warring factions, but unfortunately, the efforts were unsuccessful.
The conflict between the elected State Council Chairman, Odion Olaye, and a rival group allegedly backed by the state government had reached a boiling point.
The NLC has appointed a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the dissolved council until fresh elections are conducted.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Upah accused the Edo State Government of seizing the keys to the NLC Secretariat in Benin and threatening members of the caretaker committee ahead of their scheduled inauguration.
Upah has alerted the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure the safety of the caretaker committee members and NLC officials.
He also advised the state government to refrain from interfering in trade union matters, citing Nigerian labour laws and international best practices.
The NLC’s decision to dissolve the Edo State Council highlights the challenges facing the labour union in the state.
Upah’s reference to the legacy of notable Edo labour leaders serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the autonomy of labour unions.
