As Ajaero Emerges NLC Deputy President
By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
ABUJA: The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the United Labour Congress led by Comrade Joe Ajaero have merged to form a formidable force, with Ajaero emerging as NLC Deputy President.
Recall that Wabba, in the leadership elections of the NLC in 2015, polled 1,695 votes, defeating his only opponent and former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees, Joe Ajaero, who got 1,140 votes, from a total of 3,119 delegates that participated in the re-scheduled elections.
But shortly after the results were declared, Ajaero’s camp, which claimed to control the loyalty of 23 affiliate unions of the congress, disputed it and announced their intention to contest it which led to the formation of a parallel Congress by Ajaero.
Efforts by the NLC pioneer President Alhaji Hassan Sumuno and the former president, Adams Oshiomole to resolve the issue were inconclusive.
However, in a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, July 15, 2020, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba after a joint meeting with ULC, announced that the strain between the two congresses has been resolved and the two have reconciled.
He said, “The Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the United Labour Congress wish to announce to the world that the strain within the rank of organised labour in Nigeria has been resolved and the Nigeria Labour Congress led by comrade Ayuba Wabba has fully reconciled with the United Labour Congress ably led by comrade Joe Ajaero”.
He further noted that the two leaderships had resulted to direct discussions aimed at ending the rift, and the outcome being the fruit of the reconciliation, adding that the bond of solidarity was never broken even in the height of misunderstanding.
With the reconciliation, the leadership and structure of the ULC was reintegrated into the NLC with a reconciliation Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two leaderships.
Wabba, stated also that the NLC has emerged out of the crisis and has gained more affiliate unions, more experience and has built more bridges, adding that going forward on the platform of unity, they are ready to confront the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian workers.
“Our message to the Nigerian workers is that United we stand, divided we fall and there is a new energy channeled towards responding effectively to the challenges facing Nigerian workers and Nigerians.
“I announce Comrade Joe Ajaero, Deputy President Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade William, Vice President. all of these will be in the interim before the completion of term of this regime”, he said.
For his part, Ajaero said they are back to their house and family, and are stronger, adding that events of the next few days will show that they are back.
“We are back and ready to confront those who want to confront us, and play with those who want to play with us”, he emphasized.
