The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress protested outside the state Labour Party office on Ogbelaka Street, Off Sakponba Road, Benin, claiming that the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, had disrespected the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Explaining the protest further, the NLC state vice chairman, Suleiman Abubakar, stated that Abure was managing the party as if it were his own business.
A memo signed by Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, Chairperson and Secretary of the NLC Political Commission, and dated March 19, 2024, ordered the picketing of all LP state offices by the state NLC council.
Abubakar emphasized that the Labour Party is under the NLC's umbrella and should involve the NLC in all its decisions.
He also cautioned that the NLC would not permit Abure to force any candidate on them in his role as national chairman.
He explained, “We were instructed to protest at the Labour Party offices across the 36 states of the country. We were supposed to do this on Wednesday as directed by the NLC's political commission, but we couldn't gather our members.
“The reason for the protest is that the National Chairman, Julius Abure, is managing the party as if it's his personal possession. Everyone should be involved in decision-making. He has announced the national convention and intends to personally select and enforce a candidate on us. This isn't the time to personally select and enforce anyone.
“The way to move forward is for him to go to the national body and settle his differences with other officials. He must learn to abide by the rules. We aren't being funded. No one is sponsoring us,” he stated.
In response, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party in the state, Sam Uropka, mentioned that the NLC has neglected its main duty to Nigerian workers and is focusing on trivial matters, while workers are struggling with issues such as hunger and other challenges.
He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress has neglected its main responsibility. They should be advocating for the welfare of workers for a better life. They have neglected all these things and are concentrating on a political party that is not in power. Workers are suffering. Look at the current minimum wage, the cost of food. Many people can't afford transportation to work. The NLC isn't addressing this, but they are focused on a political party.
“How many of them are official members of the Labour Party? To question what is happening in a political party, you should be an official member and also meet your financial obligations to the party. Many of them are in PDP, and others are in APC. So, why are they concerned about the events in the Labour Party?
