Govt Disowns NLC Faction, Wabba Optimistic About Resolution

THE Federal Government has reiterated its recognition of Wabba Ayuba as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Joe Ikenya, who stated this yesterday in Abuja when he received a delegation led by Wabba, declared that government will not be a part of illegality in whatever form it comes.

The Minister also hinted that government is not aware of the existence of any faction of the NLC or received any letter introducing anybody as factional leader of the central labour body.

This comes as the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Ekpenyong Ita, said the process which brought in Wabba as NLC president was free, fair and transparent.

But NLC President, Wabba Ayuba refused to foreclose the door of negotiation, saying the NLC is still reaching out to aggrieved members of the Congress.

Speaking during the visit, Wabba said he was worried that politicians may take a cue from the action of some Labour leaders who declared themselves as NLC leaders after losing during the last delegates conference.

He said the country is at a critical moment of conducting election and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the elections are peaceful.

“We learned that some people crammed themselves in a hotel room and declared themselves leaders. This is very dangerous because some people can borrow from it and import it into our politics especially now that we are in a critical period of election.”

Wabba said the issues of decent work environment, outsourcing and casualization will top the agenda of the NLC under his leadership.

He said the NLC is ready to partner with government through constructive dialogue to ensure industrial peace in the labour sector.

In his address, the Minister of Labour said the ministry supervised the election that brought in Wabba and therefore recognizes him as NLC President, adding, “this government is a government which believes in the rule of law.”

He however urged Wabba to ensure the crises within the Congress are resolved amicably using constitutional provisions within the NLC.

He said government is sensitive to plight of workers and would like to see a better and functional labour movement.

Also speaking during a visit to the office of the DG of the DSS, Wabba said the NLC election was held in a conducive atmosphere and called for greater partnership with Congress so as to address issues that lead to friction between Labour and government.