By Raymonf Akorede
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disowned a circular allegedly emanating from its Edo State Council, describing it as unauthorized and fraudulent. The document, which directs workers to attend a May Day parade organized by the state government, was purportedly issued by someone claiming to be the “Acting State Secretary” of the NLC in Edo State.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, the NLC labeled the circular “duplicitous” and reaffirmed that its official directive, issued on April 22, 2025, remains in force. According to that directive, affiliate unions in Edo are to observe May Day independently within their union offices, in light of an ongoing leadership crisis in the state council.
“There is no official position known as ‘Acting State Secretary’ in our structure,” said Comrade Ismail Bello, Deputy General Secretary of the NLC. “The individual behind this circular is an impostor. He neither works for the NLC nor represents the interests of workers in Edo State.”
Bello further stated that the person identified in the circular, one Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide, is not recognized as the NLC Chairman in Edo State.
“Our statutes and official records do not acknowledge Mr. Egwakhide in any such capacity. Should there be any legitimate changes to our state council leadership, the public and our social partners will be properly informed,” he added.
The NLC stressed that May Day is a workers’ celebration, not a government parade, and no worker is under compulsion to attend any state-sponsored event.
“Threats of sanctions for non-attendance are null, void, and amount to blatant intimidation,” Bello said. “Trade unions are independent organizations that operate in accordance with their internal rules—free from political or government interference.”
The statement emphasized that the NLC will not tolerate any attempt to co-opt its platform for political or personal gains, particularly at the expense of workers’ rights and organizational integrity.
“We will take all necessary steps to defend our independence and protect the rights of workers in Edo State,” said Bello. “The Nigeria Labour Congress remains fully committed to resolving the ongoing leadership issues in the Edo State Council and ensuring a united and truly worker-centric May Day celebration.”
The NLC’s statement comes just days before the annual International Workers’ Day celebration, traditionally held on May 1, and it marks a firm stance against what the union describes as increasing attempts to undermine its legitimacy in the state.
As the controversy unfolds, the NLC has urged all workers and the public to remain vigilant and disregard unauthorized communications not issued by the national leadership.
