The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chapter in Edo State staged a picket at the Labour Party’s (LP) Secretariat in Benin City on Thursday, citing accusations of financial mismanagement and disregard for the union by the party’s National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure.
According to Comrade Suleiman Abubakar, the NLC Vice Chairman in the state, the action was prompted by what he described as Abure’s unilateral control of the party, treating it as his personal enterprise. Abubakar emphasized that the Labour Party belongs to the NLC and demanded the union’s involvement in all decision-making processes, cautioning against Abure’s attempts to impose candidates without consultation.
“We were instructed by the NLC’s political commission to picket Labour Party offices across the states. Our grievances stem from the fact that the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, is running the party like his personal fiefdom. He has announced a national convention and intends to hand-pick and impose candidates on us. This is unacceptable,” Abubakar asserted.
Addressing the way forward, the Edo NLC leader urged Abure to reconcile with the national body of the union and adhere to proper procedures. “He must abide by the rules. We are acting independently, without any external sponsorship,” he added.
However, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party in the State, Comrade Sam Uropka, disagreed with the NLC’s actions, accusing them of neglecting their primary responsibility of advocating for workers’ welfare. Uropka highlighted the challenges faced by workers, including hunger and economic hardships, and criticized the NLC for diverting attention to political matters instead of addressing these pressing issues.
The picketing follows a directive issued in a circular signed by Comrades Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, Chairperson and Secretary of the NLC Political Commission respectively, on March 19, 2024. The circular instructed NLC State Councils and State Political Committees to mobilize workers to picket all Labour Party state secretariats, citing grievances related to the party’s national leadership’s actions and financial mismanagement.
