Edo NLC Rejects Caretaker Committee, Accuses Ajaero of Attempted Imposition

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly rejected the five-member caretaker committee recently appointed by the National President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero. In a joint statement signed by Edo NLC Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwakhide, and Assistant Secretary, Comrade Omole Osahon, the state council urged the public to disregard the committee, branding it as illegitimate.

The statement accused Ajaero of attempting to impose Chief Odion Olaye on Edo workers through what it described as a manipulative and orchestrated caretaker setup. It stated that Olaye had already been rejected by the majority of workers in the state, citing past controversies, including a threatening remark he allegedly made about setting Edo “on fire” if a preferred politician lost an election. The council said it would not allow Olaye to continue leading the state’s labour body indirectly.

According to the Edo NLC, the caretaker move threatens the stability of the labour movement in the state, which has enjoyed relative peace under the current leadership. The council maintained that Egwakhide was duly elected following Olaye’s removal by a coalition of affiliate unions. The statement also reminded the public of Ajaero’s past involvement in forming the United Labour Congress (ULC), suggesting he once worked to destabilize the NLC and warning against a repeat scenario in Edo.

Finally, the Edo NLC called on the Federal Ministry of Labour to uphold the rights of workers in the state, urging it to prevent any external interference. It stressed that Edo workers remain united under Egwakhide’s leadership and are ready to resist any covert efforts to reinstate Olaye through undemocratic means.