Edo State chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) don comot Comrade Odion Olaye as their state chairman for Monday evening.

Dem quickly appoint Comrade Bernard Joman as acting chairman of di union, until national leaders of NLC go arrange fresh election for di state.

Dis one happen as di administration of di outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, dey wrap up for di state.

Dem reach di decision to comot Olaye for position for State Executive Committee meeting wey dem hold for Labour House for Benin City, where 27 out of di 34 active affiliate unions for NLC support di decision.

Edo State NLC tensions

But wen dem ask Olaye, him talk say him still be di chairman of di union till 2027, and say him get right to run for re-election.

As dem explain why dem remove am, di chairman of di Council of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics wey represent Auchi Polytechnic and Edo State Polytechnic, Osahon Omole, talk say court don remove Olaye as di state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) but him refuse to obey.

Omole also talk say Olaye never pay him union dues to NURTW for more than 20 years. NURTW even write letter give NLC on top di mata, for 4th November 2024, wey di State Secretary of NURTW, Godwin Aghimien, sign, to talk say dem don comot Olaye from representing di union for NLC since 2023 and dem don put caretaker committee for di position.

Di NLC leaders still accuse Olaye say him drag di labour union enter politics because him dey openly support one political party for Edo State governorship election matter.

“We no fit allow anybody drag NLC name enter politics like before; we must protect di union name, and na di best time be dis,”
di leaders talk.

Di acting chairman, wey be member of di Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, promise say him go restore NLC dignity and make sure say workers’ welfare go remain priority.