LP petitions SGF over vandalisation of national headquarters by NLC

The Labour Party (LP) has petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) over Wednesday’s vandalisation of its office by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Obiora Ifoh, the LP national publicity secretary, in the petition made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, said it had become unavoidably necessary to request for urgent intervention being the Regulatory Agency for trade unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The NLC had on Wednesday picketted the national headquarters of the party.

Members of the NLC picketted the LP office located at the Utako area of Abuja about one week after its leadership accused the party of planning a “secret” national convention in Abia State to re-elect the national chairman, Julius Abure, as sole administrator.

In its reaction, the LP accused the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, of desperately seeking to replace Mr Abure.

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Petition

In the petition to the SGF, the party said the NLC has no right to picket an organisation where there is no trade dispute.

It also said the action of the congress was a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Trade Union Act and other relevant laws.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has over the years engaged in a war of attrition with our party.

“It came to a head and unbearable when the NLC, under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajeoro, directed the picketing of our party’s national headquarters and our chapter offices across the country.

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“The unwarranted attack in our office resulted in the destruction of several properties,” Mr Ifoh said.

He added:“The NLC claims to be owners of the party and therefore wants to impose the leadership of the party, exerts overwhelming control to achieve a political end.

“It should be noted that Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) prohibits any association from contributing to the funds of any political party.

“It is a criminal offence under section 15 of the Trade Union Act to use Trade Unions Funds whether directly or indirectly to fund a political party.

“Similarly, the NLC has no right to picket an organisation where there is no trade dispute, The LP has no staff who are members of the NLC. The actions of the NLC is a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Trade Union Act and other relevant laws.

“It is of importance to further draw your attention to the fact that it is only members who are financially up to date with the party, who have rights and obligations to in the party (See Article 9(3)(i) and (iii) of our constitution).

“NLC members are not card-carrying members of LP. The party cannot be owned by any association, membership of the party is on individual basis.

“The LP Constitution says the party is open to all Nigerians who accept its ideology, programmes and the constitution, irrespective of their religion, ethnic, gender, social and economic status.

“However, the organs of the party as decided by the members assume leadership of the party. How this is achieved is well spelt out in the constitution.

“As lawful citizens we didn’t want to confront them in an uncivilised manner in order to avoid breakdown of law and order. We had the option of also mobilising party faithful to confront them.

“Doing that at this point where the harsh economic climate is having its toll on the Nigerian people will result to anarchy.

“Hence, the urgent need to call the NLC and its leadership led by Ajaero to order, educate them on the limit of their power, condemn their rascality, abuse of office and discipline them as appropriate.”

(NAN)