The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday pressed ahead with the inauguration of a Caretaker Committee for its Edo State chapter, defying a resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly which had asked the union to halt the exercise. The committee is chaired by Prof. Monday Igbafen.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Assembly had urged the NLC to recognise Comrade Bernard Egwakhide as the state chairman instead.
However, the NLC’s national leadership dissolved the existing executive and announced the caretaker team, arguing that the move was both lawful and necessary.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NLC Acting National Secretary, Benson Upah, accused the Edo State government of deliberately obstructing the process by withholding access to the Labour House in Benin.
He explained that the decision to install a caretaker committee followed consultations with Governor Monday Okpebholo, who had rejected Olaye’s leadership, insisting his stance was consistent with labour law and international best practices.
On Thursday, drama unfolded as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House, scheduled venue for the inauguration, was locked and heavily barricaded by security operatives.
The development forced NLC officials from Abuja, led by Comrade Oluwole Sunday, to initially move the inauguration to the ASUU Secretariat inside the University of Benin.
But after the venue leaked, the swearing-in was eventually conducted at an undisclosed location under tight security.
Addressing the new committee, Comrade Oluwole charged them to reconcile internal divisions and oversee the election of a fresh executive in the state.
Meanwhile, labour leaders from neighbouring states who travelled to witness the event were left stranded outside the barricaded Labour House. Comrade Augustine Igben of the Maritime Workers Union described the situation as humiliating.
“How can the Labour House be barricaded when there is no war? This is purely a labour issue. It should be left to labour to resolve. I was embarrassed when I was denied entry,” he lamented.
Despite the hurdles, the caretaker committee has formally assumed office, with the mandate to restore stability to the Edo NLC and prepare the ground for credible elections.
