The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday inaugurated a caretaker committee for its Edo State chapter, ignoring a resolution by the Edo State House of Assembly urging the union to suspend the exercise.
The caretaker committee, chaired by Prof. Monday Igbafen, was set up by the NLC National Leadership after the dissolution of the former state executive.
Earlier in the week, the Edo Assembly had appealed to the union to work with Comrade Bernard Egwakhide instead of installing a new leadership. But in a statement signed by Acting National Secretary Benson Upah, the NLC accused the state government of attempting to frustrate its efforts, including withholding access to the NLC secretariat in Benin.
Upah explained that the caretaker committee was established after a meeting with Governor Monday Okpebholo, who reportedly rejected the former leadership and insisted on a fresh structure in line with labour law and international practice.
On Thursday, the scheduled venue—the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House—was locked and placed under heavy security, forcing labour leaders to relocate the inauguration to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Secretariat at the University of Benin.
The event, led by Comrade Oluwole Sunday from the NLC National Secretariat, later moved to an undisclosed location to avoid disruption. Sunday tasked the committee with resolving internal disputes and preparing for the election of new state executives.
However, labour leaders from neighbouring states who arrived at the original venue expressed frustration at being barred entry. Comrade Augustine Igben of the Maritime Workers Union described the security blockade as “embarrassing,” insisting labour disputes should not be militarised.
“There was no war. This is purely a labour matter. Blocking entry into the Labour House was unnecessary,” he said.
The development marks another twist in the escalating crisis within the Edo NLC, raising concerns about government interference and internal union tensions.
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