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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to refrain from interfering in labour matters in the state.
This followed an alleged unauthorised invasion of the Edo State Council of the NLC’s office in Benin City by officers of the state Police Command.
The incident reportedly occurred in the absence of the council’s chairperson, who is currently attending the NLC’s annual harmattan school in Abuja.
The worker’s body said no official explanation had been provided by the police or other entities regarding the incident but it suspects that the police might have acted on the orders of the state governor.
Reacting to the development, in a statement yesterday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the incident as “criminal behaviour” and demanded an unconditional apology from those responsible.
Ajaero cautioned that any form of intimidation or harassment of trade union leaders violates labour and human rights and poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic values.
He further advised Governor Okpebholo to focus on critical state matters instead of attempting to suppress the activities of organised labour.
The labour leader also called on the police to uphold the integrity of their profession and desist from actions that compromise their duty to serve the public without bias.
The statement read: “We are disturbed by a recorded incident of unauthorised/illegal breaking in and entry of the offices of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress by some police personnel from the Edo State Police Command.
“The incident happened in Benin City in the absence of the Chairperson of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who is attending the annual harmattan school in Abuja.
“Neither the police nor any other entity has offered an explanation for this criminal behaviour but there are speculations that the police might have acted at the instance of the state governor, Monday Okpebholo
“However, whether the police acted alone or at the behest of the Governor, we demand an apology and retracing of steps unconditionally.
“Trade unions are protected by law, under no circumstances are their affairs to be interfered with by the state or any entity or be forcefully brought under the governance or control of any other.
“Acts of intimidation of trade unions or their leaders are equally off-limits as these constitute not only a violation of trade union/human rights but also a threat to our hard-won democracy.
“In light of the foregoing, the governor is advised to stay off labour matters in the state. As a brand-new governor, he should have his priorities. We would hate to think that authorising the harassment of trade union leaders is one of them.
“As for the police, they should retrieve their honour if they can, by not lending themselves to the performance of dirty jobs in contravention of their oath of office. Leave Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress alone! It is too early to start a fight with us.”
