The national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued formal queries to the presidents of five affiliate unions in Edo State over the alleged continuous locking of the state chapter’s secretariat.
The affected affiliates include the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the National Union of Public Service Reportorial and Secretarial Workers of Nigeria (NUPSRAW).
In letters dated September 2, 2025, and signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, and Treasurer Ambali Akeem Olatunji, the union accused the state chairmen of the affiliates of “gross misconduct” and “defiance” for allegedly working together to keep the state secretariat under lock and key.
The NLC described the action as “a brazen act of treachery and insurrection” against the decisions of its Central Working Committee (CWC), taken at a meeting on August 13, 2025. It warned that silence by the affiliate unions could be viewed as complicity.
The letters directed the presidents of the affected unions to commence disciplinary proceedings against the state chairmen, including their immediate suspension from union activities pending the outcome of investigations. They were also instructed to ensure the unconditional return of all keys to the secretariat.
Those named in the queries include Comrade Bernard Ajobiewe (NUT), Comrade Ogbeide Osagie (MHWUN), Comrade Kingsley Ireotoi (NUPSRAW), Comrade Godwin Oisamaiye (NCSU), and Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide (AUPCTRE), who also leads a faction of the NLC in Edo.