The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has formally approached Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun regarding an alleged incursion into its secretariat in Edo State, which reportedly resulted in the confiscation of its property.
In letters sent to both officials, NLC General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja referenced a communiqué released following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on December 18, 2024, in Owerri, Imo State. The communiqué stipulated that the police must vacate the NLC office and return all seized items by January 8, 2025, to avert potential conflict with organized labor.
The correspondence calls for the “prompt intervention” of both the governor and the IGP to facilitate a resolution of the situation.
In the petition dated December 19, 2024, the NLC articulated its concerns, stating, “The communiqué highlights key resolutions, including concerns regarding the invasion and ransacking of the NLC Edo State Council Secretariat. This unfortunate incident, reportedly carried out under the auspices of your administration, undermines the principles of democracy and the protection of trade union rights.”
The NLC emphasized Edo State’s legacy of fostering trade union leaders and governors who champion workers’ rights, urging, “Edo State, with its rich history of producing past trade union leaders and governors supportive of workers’ rights, cannot afford to tarnish this legacy with actions contrary to established rules of engagement as social partners.”
The NLC’s letter to Governor Okpebholo called for immediate action to restore the secretariat and return all confiscated property, expressing a desire to work collaboratively with the state government to address shared concerns and uphold the rights and welfare of workers in Edo State.
In a similar vein, the NLC’s letter to IGP Egbetokun reiterated the NEC’s resolutions, stating, “The resolutions addressed critical national concerns, including the invasion and ransacking of the NLC Edo State Council Secretariat. Recall our earlier letter to you on this issue and the current resolution of the NEC, as contained in the communiqué.”
The NLC highlighted the serious implications of the alleged police involvement in the incident, asserting, “This act, reportedly carried out with the involvement of the police, raises serious questions about the protection of trade union rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Congress has called for immediate action to ensure the safety of its members, the restitution of confiscated properties, and a commitment to non-interference in trade union activities. The NLC expressed its readiness to engage constructively with relevant authorities to safeguard the rights of workers and uphold the rule of law in Nigeria.
