The Labour Party (LP) has condemned what it described as a ‘threat to attack’ its offices nationwide, allegedly issued by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party accused Ajaero of blackmailing both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.
The party noted that while it would have ordinarily ignored such a threat, it felt compelled to respond to reassure its members of its resolve to uphold the rule of law and resist any form of ‘rascality and intimidation.’
“We see the NLC’s latest threat as pure blackmail targeted at INEC and security agencies to act unlawfully,” the statement read.
The party also insisted that the leadership crisis within the LP had already been settled per the constitution and a ruling by the Supreme Court, which, according to the party, affirmed that courts have no jurisdiction over internal party leadership matters.
“The courts did not sack the National Working Committee nor did they declare its tenure to have lapsed,” Ifoh stated.
The statement further clarified the timeline of the party’s leadership structure, stating that the executive elected in 2019 had its tenure extended by the National Executive Committee (NEC)—with the NLC’s participation—until June 2024.
A national convention was reportedly held in March 2024, in line with the Labour Party’s constitution and the amended 2022 Electoral Act, to usher in the current leadership.
Regarding legal action involving figures such as Nenadi Usman and Mr Nwokocha, the party said it only approached the courts to compel INEC to release the uploading code for the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, and not over any leadership dispute.
The party described a recent NEC meeting convened in Umuahia as ‘unauthorised, null, and void’, and dismissed its outcomes as lacking legal effect.
It also accused the NLC of planning another illegal gathering in Abuja on Wednesday.
The party further accused the NLC, under Ajaero’s leadership, of engaging in violence and property destruction.
It recalled the 2024 invasion of its national headquarters by NLC members, during which valuables were allegedly carted away. The incident, according to the party, was reported to the police.
“Ajaero should now understand that attacking law-abiding citizens and engaging in hooliganism is unbecoming of a union leader,” the party said, adding that the NLC president had politicised the union and was unfit to lead.
LP emphasised that the NLC had no legal right to attack its offices, citing the Trade Dispute Act, which only permits picketing or strike action in the event of a legitimate trade dispute.
“We have no NLC staff in our employ. There is no union operating within our offices. Their actions are purely illegal,” the statement declared.
The party vowed to explore all legal options against Ajaero and his supporters if they resorted to self-help and threatened to petition the Registrar of Trade Unions should further acts of lawlessness occur.
While pledging to seek the protection of security agencies, the LP warned that it would not hesitate to mobilise its members nationwide to resist any unlawful aggression if the authorities failed to act.
