Okpebholo disclosed this after a closed-door meeting convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to resolve the lingering disagreement over the recognition of the caretaker committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State.
The meeting was attended by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; and former Edo State governor and ex-NLC president, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, alongside other labour leaders.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Okpebholo said the parties had resolved the issues surrounding the recognition of the NLC caretaker committee, adding that the state government would work with organised labour to ensure a peaceful resolution and facilitate the election of substantive leadership.
“There is no issue actually, and we have resolved the issues that border the NLC caretaker committee in Edo,” the governor said.
Ajaero confirmed the resolution, expressing appreciation to Akume, Okpebholo, Dingyadi and Oshiomhole for their roles in facilitating the agreement.
He said organised labour had agreed to work with the state government on the recognition of the caretaker committee, the arrangements for a substantive election and the rights and privileges due to the committee. “Consequently, power will be restored in Edo,” he said.
Similarly, Oshiomhole described the disagreement as a communication gap that had now been addressed, noting that the circumstances that prompted the industrial action no longer existed.
He commended the governor’s willingness to rebuild confidence between the state government and organised labour, stressing the importance of cooperation in sustaining industrial harmony.
Dingyadi said the parties had agreed to work together in the interest of peace and development, adding that the NLC would conduct a substantive election in Edo within three to six months.
He also assured residents that electricity supply would be restored immediately, while Akume commended the parties for embracing dialogue to resolve the dispute.
The blackout in Edo followed two related but separate disputes: an industrial disagreement between BEDC Electricity Plc and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) over workers’ welfare and remuneration, and a leadership dispute between the state government and the NLC caretaker committee led by Joseph Igbafe over its recognition.
The agreement reached is expected to pave the way for the restoration of electricity and improved relations between the state government and organised labour.
