NLC leadership crisis: Aremu dares Wabba, says he is an election rigger

By EZUGWU OBINNA

The current leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday deepened when the Deputy President of the Joe Ajaero-led faction, Comrade Issa Aremu, described the AyubaWabba-led camp as election riggers masquerading as labour leaders.

Aremu’s reaction is coming in the wake of a statement issued by Comrade Wabba claiming that the Ajaero-led group does not speak for the NLC following the former’s much publicised call for the 8th National Assembly to slash its N120 billion budgetary allocation in the interest of Nigerians or face revolt.

Aremu in a statement made available to Hallmark, described Wabba’s statement as unprovoked and prejudiced, alluding that he (Wabba) is a government stooge who is not interested in the welfare of Nigerian workers.

“We hereby warn the public, employers of labour, federal and state governments to beware of sweetheart unionists and election riggers masquerading as the leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), when indeed they are agents of some sections of government.

“The self-acclaimed President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has just issued a silly unprovoked and prejudiced statement claiming we do not speak for the congress. After he had dragged affiliate union members to court over NLC delegate’s election, Ayuba in utter disregard of court process criminally declared legitimate union leaders imposters.

“He certainly wanted to once again rig the court process as he criminally rigged the failed 11th delegates’ conference.”

He, however, assured labour union members that they are not distracted by what he called sponsored attacks to the silent voices of the organised labour.

“We hereby assure all our members and progressive allies in civil society that we are not distracted by sponsored attack to silence the voices of the organised labour.

“Ayuba Wabba’s dubious statement came on the heels of the legitimate popular demand of the NLC that legislators reduce their pay to reflect the national mood for sacrifices. It is therefore self-evident that the so-called President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, has once again put the NLC at the service of some government officials (which put them in office in the first instance) instead of the working people who pay union dues to the NLC,” he said.

Aremu, who is also the General Secretary of Textile and Garment Union Workers Union, further advised Nigerians to know the difference between genuine labour leaders and labour dealers just as he used the opportunity to commend President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent withdrawal of military checkpoints across the country, noting that the move would facilitate movement of goods and people.

“Nigerians must know the difference between genuine labour leaders and labour dealers. What is at stake today in Nigeria is non-payment of legitimate earnings of workers in a number of states and some federal establishment and the indulgences of some elected officials that have collapsed the economy as rightly acknowledged by President Buhari.

“Genuine trade unionists and patriots are right to call on all elected officials at federal and states levels to face up to the challenge of governance. Only counterfeit trading unionists (not trade unionists) such as Ayuba Wabba would disclaim genuine voices of the working people of Nigeria.

“We hereby commend President Muhammadu Buhari for redirecting the energy of the military from internal to external security challenge. The removal of the military on the roads will facilitate movement of goods and people. Economic security of citizens is as important as the physical security.”