The Nigeria Labour Congress has cautioned the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, in opposition to partaking in conflicts with the union.
This warning adopted an assault on the NLC’s workplace in Edo State.
In a press release launched on Thursday and signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the NLC expressed concern over the “unlawful break-in and entry” into its Edo State Council places of work by police personnel from the Edo State Police Command.
The incident reportedly occurred in Benin Metropolis whereas the Chairperson of the Edo State Council of the NLC was attending the annual NLC Harmattan Faculty in Abuja.
The NLC famous that neither the police nor another entity had offered an evidence for the break-in. Nonetheless, the union cited speculations that the police might need acted on the orders of the newly inaugurated Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Upah emphasised that, no matter whether or not the police acted independently or underneath the Governor’s directive, the NLC calls for an unconditional apology and corrective motion.
He additional acknowledged that commerce unions are protected by regulation and should not be interfered with by the state or another entity.
“Acts of intimidation of commerce unions or their leaders are unacceptable as they represent not solely a violation of commerce union and human rights but additionally a menace to our hard-won democracy,” he mentioned.
The NLC suggested Governor Okpebholo to keep away from labour issues and concentrate on different priorities.
“As a brand-new Governor, he ought to have his priorities. We’d hate to assume that authorising the harassment of commerce union leaders is one in every of them,” the assertion added.
The union additionally urged the police to uphold their integrity and chorus from getting used for illegal actions.
“Depart the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress alone! It’s too quickly to start out a battle with us,” the NLC warned.