The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is currently engulfed in tension following the controversial removal of its State Chairman, Comrade Odion Olaye. This move, widely seen as a politically motivated maneuver orchestrated by the APC and its allies, has sparked outrage among union members.
On Monday evening, Olaye was unceremoniously replaced by Comrade Bernard Joman, who has been installed as acting chairman. This decision, reached during a State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting at the Labour House in Benin City, saw 27 out of 34 affiliate unions backing the removal. However, many believe this action is a direct result of APC’s interference, aiming to destabilize the union and further their political agenda.
Despite the SEC’s decision, Olaye remains defiant. He insists that he is the legitimate chairman until 2027 and has every right to seek reelection. “I remain the authentic NLC chairman in Edo State till 2027. Nobody has changed me, and nobody can go to the roadside and say they removed me. This is nothing but an attempt by the APC to undermine the union,” Olaye declared.
The chairman of the Council of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Osahon Omole, cited a court ruling that allegedly removed Olaye as the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Omole also accused Olaye of failing to pay union dues for over 20 years, a claim many see as a smokescreen for the real political motives at play.
In a letter dated November 4, 2024, the NURTW, through its State Secretary Godwin Aghimien, claimed to have recalled Olaye from representing the union in the NLC. This letter, however, is viewed by many as part of a broader strategy by the APC to weaken the NLC’s influence and pave the way for their political dominance.
NLC leaders have also accused Olaye of dragging the union into politics, citing his open support for a political party during the Edo State governorship election. “We cannot allow anybody to drag the name of the NLC into politics like was done in the immediate past. We must salvage the union, and this is the best time to do so,” said Omole.
The newly appointed acting chairman, Joman, from the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), has vowed to restore the NLC’s dignity and prioritize workers’ welfare. However, many union members remain skeptical, viewing his appointment as another move by the APC to control the union.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the APC’s influence and Monday Okpebholo’s involvement have only deepened the crisis within the Edo NLC. The battle for the soul of the union continues, with Olaye standing firm against what he describes as a blatant political hijack.
