Hands Off Politics, NLC Cautioned

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Northern Obidients Youth Assembly (NOYA) has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to desist from intimidating the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and other officials of the ministry.

The warning came after the NLC called on the federal government to caution the minister and her officials against interfering in the union’s right to political participation.

The NLC’s demand followed a letter from the Director/Registrar of Trade Unions(TUC), Falonipe Amos, cautioning the union against meddling in political parties’ affairs.

NOYA Coordinator, Hussaini Murkhtar, accused the NLC of operating outside its established Act and meddling in politics instead of focusing on workers’ welfare.

He commended the TUC for its exemplary leadership and professionalism.

Murkhtar alleged that the NLC has become a tool for silencing opposition parties and promoting a one-party state.

He vowed that NOYA would resist any attempt to use the NLC to destabilize political parties, especially the Labour Party.

The NOYA Coordinator urged the NLC to obey the laws of the land and act within its established Act, warning that any attempt to truncate democracy would be met with resistance from Nigerians.

He said: “I think at this point, what the NLC should focus on is to obey the laws of the land and acting in line with the Act that set them up instead of threatening a serving ministry.

“This is an act of hooliganism and thuggery and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. The NLC have the mandate of protecting the welfare of workers but in recent times they have lost focus and become more interested in politics.

“No wonder Nigerian workers are impoverished in the recent past because the Ajaero-led NLC now spend more time meddling into the affairs of political parties than negotiating with government for better welfare for workers.

“We will not allow the NLC to be used as a tool to truncate democracy and foist one-party state. This will not be acceptable, we will mobilise Nigerians to resist this evil agenda.

“The NLC should allow the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and any other government agencies to do the job the President appointed them to do.”