The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a picketing exercise on Thursday at the Labour Party (LP) secretariat in Benin, alleging contempt of the NLC by the LP’s National Chairman, Julius Abure.
Suleiman Abubakar, the state vice chairman of the NLC, cited Abure’s management of the party as akin to personal ownership as one of the primary reasons for the picketing.
He emphasized that the NLC should be involved in all decisions made by the LP, as the party is affiliated with the labor union.
The picketing action followed a circular issued by the NLC’s Political Commission, directing the picketing of all LP state secretariats.
Abubakar stressed that the NLC would resist any attempt by Abure to unilaterally impose candidates on them.
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Abubakar stated, “The reason for the picketing is that the National Chairman, Julius Abure, is running the party like his personal property. Everybody should be carried along. He has announced the national convention and wants to hand-pick and impose a candidate on us. This is not the time to hand-pick and impose anybody.”
He further urged Abure to address his differences with other LP officials at the national level and adhere to proper procedures.
Abubakar denied allegations of external sponsorship of the NLC’s actions.
In response, the Labour Party’s Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Sam Uropka, criticized the NLC for allegedly neglecting its core duty of advocating for workers’ welfare.
He accused the NLC of prioritizing political interference over addressing workers’ challenges, including hunger and economic hardships.
Uropka questioned the NLC’s involvement in LP affairs, highlighting that many NLC members are not even registered LP members.
He suggested that the NLC should focus on its responsibilities rather than meddling in political party affairs.
