Vandalization of party office, LP reports NLC to SGF, Ministers, trade unions
…calls for disciplinary action against Ajaero, others
By Tom Okpe
The Labour Party, (LP) has sent its petition to the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF); Ministers and Trade Unions against the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) over the last Wednesday vandalization of the political party office.
The LP office was broken into last week by the NLC led by its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, an act the party described as criminal breaking and entry into its premises, and vandalisation of its properties.
The party however, requests that, urgent intervention be taken to protect the party and, disciplinary action be taken against President of the NLC, Ajaero and other leaders of the union.
According to Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary, Labour Party in a statement on Saturday, the party also wants the Government, being the Regulatory Agency for trade unions to define role of the NLC, particularly on its false claim of being the owner of the Labour Party for which NLC has continually harass and intimidate the leadership of the party by way of interfering in the party’s activities and attempting to impose leadership on it.
In a separate letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Labour and Employment, as well as the Registrar, Trade Unions, the Labour Party through its Chairman, Barr Julius Abure and National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim maintain that Comrade Ajaero has over reached himself by using workers funds to picket and sponsor insurrection in the Labour Party headquarters, an action which amounts to an abuse of office and should therefore, be called to order and properly sanctioned.
The letter reads, “It has become unavoidably necessary to request for your urgent intervention, being the Regulatory Agency for trade unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC).
“The NLC has over the years, engaged in a war of attrition with our party. It came to a head and unbearable, when the NLC under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero directed the picketing of our party’s National Headquarters and our chapter offices across the country.
“The unwarranted attack in our office resulted in the destruction of several properties.
“The NLC claims to be owners of the party therefore, wants to impose leadership of the party, exerts overwhelming control to achieve a political end. It must be pointed out that once a Political Party is registered by INEC, it becomes a body, corporate with a perpetual succession and a common seal, (see the letter of INEC to NLC dated 3rd September 2015) where INEC stated clearly that the NLC has no superior status.
“Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that, a Political Party once registered has a life of its own and only, regulated by its constitution. It is imperative to note that by the import of the above provisions, whosoever plays any role whatsoever in the registration of the party becomes immaterial. The party will thereafter, be regulated by its constitution.
“It should be noted that Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution, (As Amended) prohibits any association from contributing to the funds of any Political Party.
“It is a criminal offence under section 15 of the Trade Union Act to use Trade Unions Funds whether directly or indirectly, to fund a Political Party.
“It is our arguments that using workers funds to picket and sponsor insurrection in the Labour Party headquarters and its legitimate leadership is an abuse of office by the Presidents of the NLC, Ajaero and should therefore be called to order and properly sanctioned.
“Similarly, the NLC has no right to picket an organization where there is no trade dispute. The Labour Party has no staff who are members of the NLC.
“The actions of the NLC is a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Trade Union Act and other relevant laws.”
On membership of the party, the petition notes that, “It is of importance to further draw your attention to the fact that it is only members who are financially up to date with the party, who have rights and obligations to the party, (See Article 9(3)(i) and (iii) of our constitution).
“NLC members are not card-carrying members of Labour Party. The Labour Party cannot be owned by any association. Membership of the Party is on individual basis.The Party’s Constitution says the Party is open to all Nigerians who accept its ideology, programs and the constitution, irrespective of their religion, ethnic, gender, social and economic status.
“However, organs of the party as decided by the members assume leadership of the party. How this is achieved is well spelt out in the constitution.
“As lawful citizens we didn’t want to confront them in an uncivilized manner in order to avoid breakdown of law and order. We had the option of also, mobilizing party faithfuls to confront them.
“Doing that at this point where the harsh economic climate is having its toll on the Nigerian people will result to anarchy. Hence, the urgent need to call the NLC and its leadership led by Ajaero to order, educate them on the limit of their power, condemn their rascality, abuse of office and discipline them as appropriate,” the petitioner added.
Related to this topic:
