Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the five-member caretaker committee recently constituted by the Congress’ National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
In a statement jointly signed by the Edo NLC Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwakhide, and the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Omole Osahon, the state council urged the public to disregard the committee, insisting that it lacks legitimacy.
The statement accused Ajaero of attempting to impose Chief Odion Olaye on Edo workers through what it described as a contrived caretaker arrangement.
According to the Edo NLC leadership, Olaye had long been rejected by workers in the state.
“The so-called caretaker committee is orchestrated by Chief Odion Olaye, who once threatened that ‘Edo will burn’ if a certain politician did not win an election. We will not allow him to continue leading the Edo NLC by proxy,” the statement read.
The Edo council also argued that the decision undermines the stability of the state labour movement and could inflame tensions. It emphasized that the current leadership under Comrade Egwakhide emerged after Olaye was removed by a majority of affiliate unions, adding that labour relations in the state had been peaceful since then.
The statement also referenced Ajaero’s past role in forming the United Labour Congress, ULC, accusing him of once attempting to weaken the NLC and warning against a repeat in Edo State.
“We call on the Federal Ministry of Labour to respect the rights of Edo workers and unions to operate freely, without intimidation or undue interference. Edo workers remain strongly behind the Egwakhide-led council and are prepared to resist any attempt to impose Odion Olaye through the backdoor,” the statement added.
