By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disowned a circular purportedly issued by an “Acting State Secretary” of its Edo State Council, describing it as “duplicitous and unauthorized” and warning workers to disregard the directive to attend a government-organized parade on May 1st, 2025.
In a statement issued yesterday, and signed by the Deputy General Secretary, Ismail Bello, the NLC clarified that its earlier directive, issued on April 22, 2025, remains valid, directing affiliates in Edo State to commemorate the 2025 May Day independently within their respective union offices.
“The attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been drawn to a duplicitous and unauthorized circular purportedly issued by an individual claiming to be the ‘Acting State Secretary’ of the NLC Edo State Council, directing workers to attend a Governor’s parade on May 1st, 2025,” the Congress stated
he NLC emphasized that there is no official position within its structure known as “Acting State Secretary,” describing the issuer of the circular as “an impostor” whose “motives are highly questionable.” It urged workers and the public to “disregard this fraudulent document,” stressing that the individual “clearly neither works for the NLC nor for the workers.”
Furthermore, the NLC reaffirmed that “Bernard Joman Egwakhide is not known in any of our statutes or records as the Chairman of NLC in Edo state,” noting that any official change in the leadership of the Edo State Council would be formally communicated to the public and social partners.
Reiterating the independent nature of the May Day celebration, the NLC stated: “May Day is a workers’ celebration, not a government’s event. No worker is under any compulsion to attend any government-organized parade. Threats of sanctions for non-attendance are null, void, and a blatant unacceptable intimidation tactic.”
The NLC further stressed the autonomy of trade unions, asserting that “Trade unions are independent organizations that function in line with the dictates of their rules free from any external interference.”
“We will take all measures to defend our independence and will stand firmly with workers of Edo State unconditionally,” the statement added. This is even as it reassured workers of its dedication to resolving the ongoing leadership crisis in Edo State, promising a “united,