The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to resist what it described as selfish pressure capable of depriving the state government of effective engagement and sound industrial relations with the legitimate leadership of the NLC in the state.
The Edo NLC also warned members of the public to be cautious of any unauthorised individual or group parading themselves as the Acting Chairman or leadership of the Edo State Council of the NLC.
Reiterating its position for the umpteenth time, the Edo NLC stated in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Benin City that the recognised leadership of the Edo State Council of the NLC is the Prof. Igbafen-led Caretaker Committee, which was lawfully constituted by the National Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC.
In the statement signed by Prof. Monday Igbafen, the council said the clarification had become necessary to prevent the continued spread of misinformation aimed at deceiving the public and misleading the Edo State Government about the true leadership status of the NLC in the state.
According to the statement, the Bernard Egwakhide-led State Administrative Council (SAC) of the NLC in Edo State had been dissolved by the CWC of the NLC since 13th August 2025 over allegations of unethical conduct, anti-union activities, and gross violations of the constitution and rules of the Congress.
The Edo NLC advised the state government to uphold Nigeria’s labour laws, particularly the right of trade unions to independently determine their leadership, noting that the only body authorised to speak on behalf of workers in the state is the Igbafen-led Caretaker Committee recognised by the CWC of the NLC.
The statement further urged the Edo State Government and the general public to disregard any representation, information, or press release that does not have the approval of the Caretaker Committee.
The Edo NLC Caretaker Committee reaffirmed its commitment to the speedy resolution of the crisis within the Edo State Council of the NLC and called on the state government and other stakeholders to cooperate toward achieving lasting peace and stability.
