Edo NLC Denies Allegations Of Break-In At Secretariat By State Govt
The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday denied allegations made by its national secretariat, which claimed that the Edo State Government forcefully broke into and ransacked the state’s Labour House.
In a statement signed by Acting State Chairman Comrade Bernard Egwekhide and Acting State Secretary Comrade Kingsley Ireotoi, the Edo NLC described the allegations as “false, misleading, and baseless.”
The council clarified that no police officers were involved in forcibly entering the Labour House. Instead, the officers seen in a video shared by former chairman Comrade Odion Olaye were stationed at the premises at the request of the Congress leadership to ensure the safety of the building and its properties.
The statement also highlighted the long-standing cordial relationship between the Edo State Government and various labour unions, including the NLC, noting a recent meeting between the state government and labour representatives to address irregularities related to the implementation of the minimum wage by the previous administration.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized that the Edo State Government has never engaged in vandalism or intimidation against labour unions or their properties. The NLC expressed concern that the allegations were designed to tarnish the state’s reputation and sow discord between the government and the labour unions.
The Edo NLC urged the national secretariat to require Odion Olaye to provide evidence supporting the claims, warning against making baseless accusations that could jeopardize the positive relationship between the state government and the labour community.
