Tensions between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the leadership of the Labour Party reached a new height on Wednesday, as the labour union instructed its state councils and political commission to picket Labour Party secretariats across the nation.
In a letter dated Tuesday, March 19, 2024, signed by the chairperson of the NLC Political Commission, Titus Amba, and the secretary, Chris Uyot, the directive was issued following a virtual meeting of the NLC National Political Commission and the leadership of the NLC State Councils and State Political Committees.
The letter cited the National Chairman of the Labour Party’s refusal to hold a National Convention, financial impropriety, and disregard for NLC leadership as reasons for the directive.
It read in part: “Given the intransigence of the National Chairman of the Labour Party…the NLC State Councils and State Political Committees should mobilise workers to picket all the State Secretariats of the Labour Party, scheduled for Wednesday, 20th March 2024.”
The conflict escalated following accusations by the National Working Committee of the Labour Party against Joe Ajaero, the President of the NLC, of attempting to replace Julius Abure, the Labour Party National Chairman.
The NLC’s Political Commission had raised concerns about Abure’s leadership and plans for a national convention, which they deemed illegitimate.
However, the LP leadership rejected the directive, alleging Ajaero’s ambition to become the next national chairman of the party.
The NLC’s directive urged state councils and political committees to mobilise workers, civil society allies, students, traders, and professionals for picketing and mobilisation efforts.
