The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed allegations by its national secretariat that the Edo State Government forcefully broke into and ransacked the state’s Labour House.
In a statement issued on Monday by Acting State Chairman Comrade Bernard Egwekhide and Acting State Secretary Comrade Kingsley Ireotoi, the Edo NLC described the claims as “false, misleading, and baseless.”
The council clarified that the presence of police officers at the Labour House, as seen in a video shared by former chairman Comrade Odion Olaye, was at the request of the Congress leadership to ensure the security of the premises and its assets. They emphasized that no police officers were involved in any forced entry or ransacking of the property.
The statement also underscored the longstanding amicable relationship between the Edo State Government and labour unions, including the NLC. It highlighted a recent meeting between state officials and labour representatives to address issues related to the implementation of the minimum wage by the previous administration.
“The Edo State Government has never engaged in vandalism or intimidation of labour unions or their properties,” the NLC stated, adding that the allegations appear to be a deliberate attempt to damage the government’s reputation and disrupt its relationship with the labour community.
The Edo NLC called on the national secretariat to demand evidence from Odion Olaye to substantiate the accusations. It also cautioned against baseless claims that could undermine the cordial partnership between the state government and labour unions.
