The crisis rocking the leadership of opposition labour party took a new twist on wednesday, as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha cautions the Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Festus Osifo-led Trade Union Congress, TUC from interfering in the activities of Labour Party, and other political parties as it contravenes the Act that sets up the two Labour centres.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure had written to the Ministry of Labour and Employment on July 10, 2024 to define the roles of the NLC, and in a letter dated July 31, 2024, the department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, acting on the directive of the minister, explained the role of NLC and TUC in political activities.
The letter signed by the Director/Registrar of Trade Unions, Falonipe Amos on behalf of the Minister of State Labour and Employment referred to Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act Cap T14 & T15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which states that Trade Union rules not to be applied for political purposes unless the rules of trade union otherwise provide, in so far as the funds of a trade union represent payments which the members are required to make under the rules, whether by way of subscriptions, dues or otherwise, those funds shall not be applied; whether directly, or through any other union, association or body, or in any other indirect manner to the furtherance of any political objective.
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The ministry also reminded the NLC and the TUC of the political objective and the purpose of the above section, the Payment of any expenses incurred (whether directly or indirectly by a candidate or prospective candidate for election to any political office in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria, being expenses incurred before, during or after election in connection with his candidature or election.
According to the ministry, Others are the holding of meetings or the distribution of any literature or document in support of any such candidate or prospective candidate, the maintenance of any person while he holds in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria a political office to which he has been elected, the registration of electors in Nigeria or any part thereof.
In addition, including the holding of a political meeting of any kind or the distribution of political literature of political documents of any kind, unless the main purpose of the meeting or distribution is to further the regulation of the terms and conditions of the employment of workers.
The NLC had in the recent past, made efforts to takeover the structures of the Labour Party through a failed effort to break into the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja.
Also, the NLC National Transition Committee, NTC of its political commission, had continued to interfere in the activities of the Labour Party to the extent that it refuses to recognise the Party’s Chairman, Julius Abure and continuously issue counter directives to the members of the party.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
