Tension has gripped workers in Edo State following a dispute between the State House of Assembly and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the planned inauguration of a caretaker committee to oversee the union’s affairs.
At its plenary on Wednesday, the assembly accused NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, of attempting to impose a leadership on the state chapter, warning that such action could threaten peace and stability. Lawmakers urged the union to work with Bernard Eguakhide, whom they described as the preferred choice of workers, while faulting the national leadership for aligning with former chairman, Odion Olaye, who they accused of partisanship during the last governorship election.
In a resolution, the house called on Ajaero to suspend the planned leadership change, following a motion by Majority Leader Jonathan Ibhamawu, who said the state labour force had enjoyed harmony under Eguakhide’s leadership. Other lawmakers backed the motion, stressing that maintaining the status quo was in the interest of peace.
The NLC, however, insists on going ahead with the inauguration of a caretaker committee on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Benin City. The committee was set up after the dissolution of the Edo executive council, which the union said followed due process in line with labour laws and global best practices.
In a statement, NLC Acting National Secretary, Benson Upah, accused the state government of trying to frustrate the process by withholding the keys to the union’s secretariat and threatening members of the committee. He explained that the decision was reached after a meeting with Governor Monday Okpebholo, who had expressed preference for Olaye as state chairman.
The NLC maintained that the dissolution of the state council followed a joint committee review involving its leadership and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
