BREAKING: NLC Orders Nationwide Protests Against Labour Party Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has mandated a countrywide picketing of Labour Party offices.

This drastic measure is a direct response to the ongoing political turmoil within the Labour Party, primarily centered around the actions of its National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure.

The crux of the controversy stems from Abure’s decision to proceed with a National Convention of the Labour Party, a move that the NLC deems to be marked by financial mismanagement and a blatant disregard for its leadership. The Labour Party has been under scrutiny, with allegations of corruption levied against Abure, particularly concerning the misappropriation of funds earmarked for the party’s activities.

This directive for picketing, outlined in a circular dated March 19, 2024, to the chairpersons of all NLC State Councils/Political Commissions, signifies a clear standoff between the NLC and the Labour Party’s current administration. The circular, undersigned by NLC Political Commission Chairperson, Comrade Titus Amba, and Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, calls for an immediate mobilization of workers across the nation to demonstrate against the Labour Party’s state secretariats on March 20, 2024.

The NLC’s stance is clear: the unilateral actions of Julius Abure, coupled with his alleged financial imprudence and lack of respect for the NLC’s leadership, cannot be tolerated. As such, workers are urged to join forces with civil society allies, students, traders, and professionals to ensure the success of the picketing, which is seen as a precursor to an inclusive national convention of the Labour Party.

This call to action follows closely on the heels of a vote of no confidence in Abure by the NLC leadership, as reported by SaharaReporters on March 16, 2024. The allegations of corruption, particularly the misallocation of N3 billion donated for the presidential campaign, have further fueled the fire, with prominent supporters of Peter Obi amplifying these claims on social media platforms.

In retaliation, the Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has thrown its own counterpunch, urging NLC National President Joe Ajaero to resign if he intends to vie for the national chairmanship of the party, hinting at underlying power struggles.