Genesis of NLC, Labour Party Crisis Unveiled by Ajaero

In a recent revelation, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has attributed the ongoing rift between the NLC and the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) to what he describes as “greed and corruption.”

Ajaero, tracing the historical roots of the Labour Party in Nigeria back to 1945 under the stewardship of the late Chief Michael Imoudu, emphasized that Labour parties globally are traditionally “owned by the trade unions.”

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the current leadership of the LP, Ajaero accused figures like Mr. Julius Abure, the LP National Chairman, of assuming positions without legitimate electoral mandates. According to Ajaero, Abure’s ascension to power lacked democratic validation, highlighting a systemic issue within the party.

Speaking during an interview at The Nation’s corporate headquarters, Ajaero elaborated on the sequence of events leading to the present crisis. He recalled the decision in 2000, during an NLC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, to establish a distinct Labour Party. Despite initial reservations voiced by then-NLC President Adams Oshiomhole, the decision to form a separate party prevailed.

Ajaero shed light on the strategic renaming process, narrating how the Party for Social Democracy (PSD) was initially registered, only to be later rebranded as the Labour Party at its inaugural convention.

Reflecting on past LP chairpersons, Ajaero emphasized that each had a background in trade unionism, underscoring the party’s historical ties to labour movements. He criticized Abure’s ascent to the LP chairmanship, alleging procedural irregularities and lack of consensus within the party’s ranks.

Detailing Abure’s path to leadership, Ajaero highlighted instances of what he perceives as political maneuvering and asserted that Abure’s assumption of the chairman’s role lacked the necessary democratic mandate.