The leadership of  Labour Party, LP  over the weekend described the Nigeria Labour Congress, and it's political department, The Political Commission as a bundle of contradiction and paradox even as the Congress opposes LP's proposed National Convention.


The LP advised NLC's President, Joe Ajaero to resign as NLC President to contest LP Chairmanship rather than criticising members of NWC, adding that nothing can stop the party’s convention as planned and that constitution was clear on eligible participants.


Ifoh said the rascality of the current president of the NLC, Joe Ajero has destroyed the successes already recorded, adding that it must be noted that the NLC and its political commission have become a bundle of contradiction and paradox


The LP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh states:  “The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to a press release titled ‘A misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanour gfone too far’ written by the NLC’s Political Commission as an agent of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC letter did not come to us as a surprise or a shock. It was long expected before now, having known that the NLC was going to engage itself in this misadventure.


“Nigerians will recall that in 2014, NLC has been involved in a war of blackmail and attrition against the Labour Party and its leadership. It was only recently, following the civil and diplomatic approach adopted by Julius Abure when he assumed leadership that he was able to get the then President of the NLC, Ayuba Waba, and the then President of the Trade Union Congress, Olaleye Quadri, to a truce where the NLC, TUC and Labour Party agreed to work together in harmony.


“Unfortunately, the rascality of the current president of the NLC, Joe Ajero, has destroyed the successes already recorded. It must be noted that the NLC and its political commission have become a bundle of contradiction and paradox. The Nigeria Labour Congress has written several letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission and to the party on the need to conduct a national convention.

In fact, the NLC has queried even the rationale behind the one year extension which was graciously granted by the NEC in session in Asaba, which is in line with the party constitution.


“The leadership of the party in its wisdom has decided to yield to their agitation for a convocation of a national convention. Article 14:4b of our party constitution mandates the National Secretary in consultation with the National Chairman to ‘issue notices of meetings of National Convention, NEC, NWC amongst others.


“It is in the exercise of this power that the National Chairman and National Secretary have called for the convention following the decision of the national executive council of the party. It is therefore ironical for the same NLC which has been agitating for a convention to now be demanding the rationale for the call for a convention.


“At this point, the leadership of the party wants to ask the NLC, what exactly do they want? If Joe Ajaero is interested in the leadership of the party, he is therefore advised to resign as the President of the NLC and join in the contest for the National Chairmanship of the party that is scheduled for the convention on the 27th of March, 2024.


“We must note that undue interference by the Nigeria Labour Congress on the affairs of the party has become worrisome and it has become needful to emphasis here the distinction that the Labour Party has a life of its own different from that of the Nigeria Labour Congress.


“In fact, the 1999 Constitution states clearly that once a political party is registered, it has a life of its own whereby it can run it’s own affairs without any interference.


“The Electoral Act and the Constitution provide that no organisation can own any other organisation. The NLC as an organisation can not claim the ownership of the Labour Party.


“The constitution of the party is clear that it is only those who subscribe to the party and those who are financial members of the party are the owners of the party and therefore can have a say on the affairs of the party. The interference of the present leadership of the NLC on the party is really choking and we can hardly breath".


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that in a letter signed by both Titus Amba and Chris Uyot, the Chairman and Secretary of the NLC's Political Commission  it



In a statement jointly signed by the Chairperson and Secretary of NLC Political Commission, Comrade Titus Amba and Comrade Chris Uyot respectively, the Congress described  the planned convention as “a misadventure in political mischief, mismanagement and misdemeanour gone too far”.


NLC said it expected the Labour Party being led by Abure after judgement of court of appeal to recognise the statutory membership of organised labour in the NWC of the Labour Party, constitute the Board of Trustees of the party and conduct an all-inclusive national convention in line with the court judgement.


It further alleged that national convention in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, on March 27 is said to be aimed at re-electing Abure as the sole administrator of the Labour Party.


When highlighting that the circular was approved without consulting stakeholders, notably the NLC denounced the scheduled convention as unlawful and urged Abure to step down from his role as party chairman. They proposed the establishment of a temporary transition committee to oversee a lawful and fully-representative national convention for the party.