Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the caretaker committee constituted by the body’s National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
A statement signed by Edo NLC Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwakhide and Assistant Secretary, Comrade Omole Osahon, urged the public to disregard and not give any form of legality to the five-man caretaker committee constituted by Ajaero.
The statement urged Comrade Ajaero to focus on serious issues that concerned the welfare of workers, instead of trying to impose Odion Olaye on Edo workers through the so-called caretaker committee.
It said Olaye had been rejected by Edo workers.
“The so-called caretaker committee is orchestrated by Chief Odion Olaye, who once threatened that “Edo will burn” if a particular politician does not win an election in Edo State. We will not allow him continue to lead Edo NLC council by proxy.
“We do not only reject the committee purportedly set up by Joe Ajaero and Odion Olaye, we also view the caretaker committee as an attempt to undermine the state’s stability and to carry out Olaye’s earlier threat of “burning down Edo State.
“Comrade Ajaero’s personal move to impose this connived contraption has further sparked controversies. We wish to on behalf of Edo workers use this medium to warn and advise him and Olaye to retrace their steps and leave Edo workers alone, as we have been enjoying a very peaceful and friendly Labour relations and working relations since Olaye was removed by majority members of the affiliate unions and replaced with Comrade Bernard Egwakhide-led executive.
“It is on record that the “United Labour Congress” (ULC) that was used to castrate the NLC at a time, was a baby of Comrade Joe Ajaero. His action is again tending towards same in Edo State. We also call on the Federal Ministry of Labour to respect the rights of workers and labour unions in Edo State, ensuring they can operate freely without fear of intimidation or persecution by Comrade Ajaero.
“Let Comrade Ajaero and his cohorts know that Edo workers are ready to resist any attempt or moves by him to impose Odion Olaye on Edo workers for the second time in the name of a caretaker committee. Edo workers are ready and solidly behind Comrade Egwakhide-led NLC council in Edo State,” they said.
