By Obinna Uballa
There is an ongoing confusion in Benin City as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) inaugurated a caretaker committee for its Edo State chapter despite a resolution by the State House of Assembly directing it to suspend the exercise.
The assembly had, on Tuesday, passed a resolution urging the NLC to work with Comrade Bernard Egwakhide, instead of proceeding with plans to dissolve the existing leadership and install a new team.
However, the NLC national leadership brushed aside the resolution and went ahead to inaugurate the committee headed by Prof. Monday Igbafen.
A statement by NLC’s Acting National Secretary, Benson Upah, had earlier accused the Edo State government of frustrating the process by withholding keys to the Labour House in Benin.
He alleged that the state authorities were working to block the inauguration, which he said followed due process after a meeting with Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to the NLC, the decision to constitute a caretaker committee was based on labour laws and global practices after the governor made it clear he would not work with the former chairman, Comrade Olaye.
On Thursday morning, security operatives barricaded the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House, the initial venue for the event, forcing NLC leaders from Abuja to relocate to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Secretariat at the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus.
The inauguration was eventually held at an undisclosed location after the second venue was reportedly compromised.
Comrade Oluwole Sunday, who led the delegation from NLC headquarters, charged the caretaker committee to reconcile factions and conduct elections for a new executive.
Meanwhile, several labour leaders from neighbouring states who had arrived for the ceremony expressed disappointment at being denied access to the venue.
Comrade Augustine Igben of the Maritime Workers Union said he was embarrassed by the heavy security presence.
“I felt embarrassed about the whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war? It is a labour issue. They should allow labour to settle the issues themselves,” he said.
The development deepens the crisis rocking the Edo NLC as the new committee takes charge amid protests and political interference from the State government.
