Labour Party Urges NLC to Respect Trade Union Laws and Stay Out of Party Affairs

Labour Party (LP) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to cease its interference in the party’s internal matters. This request follows a directive from Falonipe Amos, the Registrar of Trade Unions in Nigeria. According to LP spokesperson Mr. Obiora Ifoh, the NLC’s actions have prompted the Labour Party to seek clarification from the Registrar.

The dispute between the LP and NLC centers on claims of ownership, with the NLC asserting a right to influence the LP’s operations. In response, the Registrar of Trade Unions issued a statement addressing these concerns.

The controversy began when Julius Abure, the national chairman of the Labour Party, sent a letter to the Registrar on July 10, 2024. The letter, titled “Request for Your Urgent Intervention on the Need to Define the Roles of NLC,” highlighted the NLC’s attempts to assert control over the LP. The Registrar’s intervention was based on this letter.

In his response, Mr. Amos emphasized that the NLC’s charter, as outlined in Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act Cap T14 & TI5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, prohibits interference in the political activities of political parties. He pointed out that the act forbids the NLC from using its resources for political purposes, including funding political campaigns or supporting candidates for office.

Mr. Amos further clarified that the NLC should not be involved in managing or influencing political parties. His statement underlined that the NLC’s role is strictly limited to its primary objectives as defined by law, and any deviation from this could be considered illegal.

In light of these regulations, Mr. Ifoh urged the NLC to adhere to the provisions of the Trade Unions Act and respect the Labour Party’s autonomy. He expressed hope that the NLC would comply with these legal boundaries to avoid further conflicts.

The Labour Party’s call for adherence to legal guidelines reflects its commitment to maintaining its independence and ensuring that trade unions do not encroach upon its political activities.