NLC holds parallel congresses in states

THE leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) degenerated yesterday as parallel congresses produced factional executives in states.

Supporters of Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Joe Ajaero, two labour leaders claiming the presidency of the NLC, at separate venues held parallel conferences in Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Edo, Oyo, Delta and others.

But, most other states produced unified executive councils supporting the contending NLC leaders.

In Kaduna, the Wabba’s group held its congress at the Gamji Gate Hall. The Ajaero’s group held its own at the Labour House, headquarters of the National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN).

Wabba, in a message he sent to his supporters, said the NLC under his leadership is committed to strengthening the state councils to enable them carry out their functions more effectively.

He stressed that he would implement to the letter his team’s manifesto, commitment and resolutions from the 11th Delegates’ conference by employing full-time state secretaries for state councils and general reorganisation in relationship between the centre and the state councils.

Wabba urged the incoming leaderships at the state levels to, as part of their priorities, make arrangements to constitute local government area councils of NLC.

Ajaero, in address titled: “Restoring core values of the labour movement” said: “We have tried to consolidate on building the structure for a vibrant trade union centre after the misadventure of the past four years.”

He stressed that they had hoped for a reprieve from the former NLC leadership with the last delegates’ conference, but noted that there was a determination to foster on surrogates that would keep the tradition of non-performance.

Ajaero called on the newly elected leaders at the state levels to recognise that the challenges were enormous, emphasising his resolve to put all energies and resources together in rebuilding the NLC as a vibrant labour centre that is driven by the aspirations of the working people and propelled by the support and solidarity of affiliates, the public, the civil society organisations and the international working class movement.

In Kano, two delegate conferences returned Kabiru Ado Minjibir and Ado Salisu Riruwai as NLC chairmen.

The outgoing state chairman and loyalist to the Wabba group, Isa Danguguwa, said Minjibir was the duly elected chairman, noting that out of the 33 associations affiliated to the state NLC, 31 were in attendance at the delegate conference held at Kano Indoor Sports Hall.

He debunked the impression that the congress was factionalised, insisting that the NLC family in Kano was intact and united.

The opposing faction loyal to Ajaero presented Riruwai of the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE) as the newly elected state chairman.

The Ajaero faction conducted its delegate conference yesterday at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Garments and Textile Workers.

Two state executive councils also emerged from the parallel delegates’ congresses in Kogi State.

At the exercise held at the New Confluence Stadium Lokoja, Johnson Onu Edoka of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) emerged as chairman.

At the second parallel congress, which held at Ajaokuta, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon of the NUEE was elected state NLC chairman.

In Edo State, a faction loyal to the Ajaero held its conference at the Royal Marble Hotel. The faction loyal to Wabba conducted its conference at the Da Civic Centre along Airport Road.

Eddy Ossai was elected chairman of Ajaero NLC faction. But election was still on as at press time at the congress by Wabba faction.

Incumbent chairman of Edo NLC, Emmanuel Ademokun, was the only candidate for the Wabba-led faction.

Officials of Edo State government shunned the Ajaero-led faction. But Governor Adams Oshiomhole was represented by Commissioner for Labour and Establishments Didi Adodo at the Wabba faction.

Ademokun said only three unions were loyal to Ajaero faction in the state.

He added that 31 out of 34 unions were present at the Wabba-led congress.

In Kwara, the outgoing NLC council led by Umar F. Akanbi – a loyalist to Wabba – held their congress at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin, the state capital.

The Akanbi-led congress had in attendance the Kwara State Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako and Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Labour Matters, Bisi Fakayode.

Labour leaders loyal to Ajaero had their conference at the International Tobacco Company (ITC) Club also in the metropolis.

Factional Deputy President of NLC, Issa Aremu, was in attendance.

The Oyo State council of NLC yesterday elected a six-member executive committee with Odumuyiwa Olusanya as chairman.

The members were elected unopposed at a state congress held at the National Museum Hall, Alesinloye, Ibadan, the state capital.

The returning officer of the electoral process, Ojutalayo Siyanbola, described the exercise as successful.

 “By the grace of God, we shall not fail. We shall be at the forefront of members’ welfarism. During our regime, we shall build on the existing legacies of our predecessors. Comrade Joe Ajaero is the authentic faction, which is recognise at the national level.”

In Delta, the faction led by the incumbent state chairman, Akporeha Wilson, held its congress in Warri. The other faction, led by David Ofoyeno, held another congress in the state capital, Asaba yesterday.

Wilson is said to be loyal to Ajaero. Ofoneyo aligned with the Wabba camp.

But in Osun, Gambi Yusuf emerged the chairman of Osun NLC chapter.

Speaking after taking his oath of office in Osogbo, the state capital, Yusuf promised to ensure protection of the members’ interest in the state.

According to him, the labour movement would be rejuvenated to create room for the human and capital development of the workforce.