NLC Queries Five Union Leaders over Locking of Edo Secretariat

By Enahoro Iyemefokhai | September 16, 2025

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued formal queries to the presidents of five affiliate unions over the continued locking of the Edo State Secretariat, escalating the internal crisis rocking the state chapter.

The affected unions include the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the National Union of Public Service Reportorial and Secretarial Workers of Nigeria (NUPSRAW).

National Leadership Issues Strong Warning

The query letters, dated September 2, 2025, were jointly signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, and Treasurer, Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji.

Titled “Act of Gross Misconduct, Betrayal and Urgent Demand for Disciplinary Action Against Your Errant Officer in Edo State”, the letters accused the state chairmen of the affiliates of collaborating with others to unlawfully lock up the Congress secretariat.

“This brazen act is a direct and contemptuous defiance of the explicit decisions and directives of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC emanating from its meeting of 13th August, 2025,” the letter read.

Disciplinary Action Ordered

The NLC directed the union presidents to immediately commence disciplinary action against their state chairmen, beginning with suspension from all union activities pending a full investigation.

The national leadership also ordered that the keys to the Edo State NLC Secretariat be returned unconditionally to the recognized State Administrative Committee or any officials designated by the national secretariat.

It warned that silence or inaction by the affiliate unions could be “construed in bad light” and demanded urgent compliance.

Affected Union Leaders Named

Those queried include Comrade Bernard Ajobiewe (NUT), Comrade Ogbeide Osagie (MHWUN), Comrade Kingsley Ireotoi (NUPSRAW), Comrade Godwin Oisamaiye (NCSU and JNC Chairman), and Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide (AUPCTRE and factional Edo NLC chairman).

The development deepens the leadership tussle within the Edo State NLC, which has witnessed prolonged internal wrangling in recent months.