Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Seun Opejobi
Published on 2024-03-20 14:11:27
The Labour Party, LP, recently found itself embroiled in a dispute with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, after accusing the NLC of unlawfully breaking and entering its national headquarters in Abuja. The LP alleged that the NLC’s “militant arm” had caused significant damage to the party’s property during the incident.
In a strongly-worded statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifo, the party condemned the actions of the NLC as criminal, misguided, and conducted in bad faith. The statement also singled out the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, accusing him of greed and an excessive ambition that had led to a deterioration in his behavior and decision-making.
The LP expressed disbelief at Ajaero’s leadership, questioning how a leader known to have partisan interests in other major political parties like the PDP and APC could rally lawless individuals to target an independent political party like the LP. The party asserted that Ajaero’s claims of NLC ownership of the Labour Party were unfounded, as ownership of a political party lies with its card-carrying or financial members, not a separate organization like the NLC.
Furthermore, the LP criticized Ajaero for diverting his focus away from pressing national issues such as poor workers’ wages, inflation, and insecurity, choosing instead to engage in destructive behavior towards the LP. The party highlighted the NLC’s apparent failure to effectively picket any Federal Government establishments and criticized Ajaero’s leadership for encouraging militancy within the NLC’s ranks.
The LP also emphasized the politicization of the NLC’s leadership and its shift towards partisan politics, which they viewed as detrimental to the interests of Nigerian workers. The party contrasted Ajaero’s approach with that of other NLC leaders like Ayuba Waba, Olaleye Quadri, and Festus Osifo, who maintained a more balanced relationship with political parties while upholding their duties to Nigerian workers.
In response to the incident at their national headquarters, the LP indicated that they would be exploring legal options against the NLC, particularly in relation to defamation of their national chairman, Julius Abure. The party vowed to take action against what they perceived as a personal vendetta and a smear campaign against their leadership.
Overall, the dispute between the LP and the NLC highlighted broader tensions within the Nigerian labor movement, with accusations of misconduct, political interference, and disregard for legal processes. The LP’s response underscored their commitment to upholding their integrity and pursuing justice in the face of adversity.
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