On Wednesday, the National Working Committee of the Labour Party faulted the nationwide picketing of its party secretariats by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The leadership of the LP also described the action of the NLC as unlawful and an abuse of power.
News About Nigeria had reported that the leadership of the NLC had directed its members on Tuesday to mobilise workers to protest at LP secretariats across the country.
The protest, according to the workers, is against the party’s national convention, which is slated for March 27 and a call for the removal of the National Chairman of the LP, Joe Ajaero.
In line with the directive of the NLC leadership, scores of workers stormed the national headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja on Wednesday, chanting solidarity songs and calling for the sacking of the party leadership.
They were, however, prevented from gaining access to the party secretariat by security operatives posted to the area to maintain order.
In response to the move by the NLC, the National Youth Leader of the LP, Kennedy Ahanotu, expressed disappointment with the manner in which the NLC handled the situation.
He further noted that it is wrong for a movement that symbolises the masses’ struggle to picket a political party.
Ahanotu also accused the leadership of the NLC of being partisan through their actions.
“Nigeria is a democratic and lawful country. Therefore, people should know the boundaries of the law. If the NLC feels it is their right and it is lawful to picket the Labour Party, it is fine. But if it is not lawful, they will face the consequences of the law.
“For crying out loud, there are workers’ issues to look into. There are issues of minimum wage, health, fuel removal crisis, and insecurity everywhere. The NLC is supposed to be concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers, not picketing a political office.
“There is a lot of power play going on, and it is not healthy for our generation. That level of power play cannot help a system that wants to be rejigged. Even if the NLC is the founder of the Labour Party, the party is an institution on its own and should be allowed to breathe. Again, the NLC should not show any sign of partisanship in terms of practical politics because they are supposed to be facing the government of the day. They are not even supposed to participate in political activities,” he noted.
