Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) appears divided over the upcoming Workers’ Day, popularly known as May Day, celebrated on 1 May each year.

Professor Monday Igbafen, addressing himself in a statement as Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Edo NLC, argued that while” other State Councils of the NLC across this federation may, perhaps, find reason to roll out drums on May Day,” he declared that the “labour environment in Edo today cannot and must not inspire celebration. How can a people divided ever be joyful?

Igbafen disclosed that”genuine labour leaders and true workers have resolved to stay indoors to mourn, in silence, the present travails of labour in our state. Let the public be rescued from this deception.”

He added: “Let it be known that tomorrow’s assembly is powered neither by the legitimate leadership of the NLC in Edo State, nor by the National Leadership of Congress.

Those behind it are usurpers and hijackers of the Edo State Council of the NLC.

“The Edo NLC is in a quagmire. We are locked in a struggle against the combined forces of reactionaries, impostors, self-imposed leaders, political collaborators, and labour aristocrats. Every genuine effort to reposition this Council has been met with repression. Yet we are not in despair. The struggle continues.

“Therefore, let the record reflect this truth: No pretentious May Day organised, engineered, and bankrolled by compradors can ever keep alive the glorious philosophy of May Day.

“To the public, and especially to every well-meaning worker in Edo State, we say: Do not be deceived. The gathering scheduled for tomorrow at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City is no true reflection of May Day. It is a hoax.”

But in a telephone interview with The Guardian, Comrade Bernard Egwakide, another factional Chairman of the Edo NLC, shabbily dismissed Igbafen’s claim, describing him (Igbafen) as an”unknown entity to the Edo workers”.

He said: “The name you just mentioned is unknown to Edo workers in general and me; Edo NLC is one, so I am not aware of what you are talking about, nor do I know the name you just mentioned.

“Edo workers are going out tomorrow (today) to mark May Day at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and the governor is our chief host. So, I cannot join you to talk about someone unknown to Edo workers”.