The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Thursday, inaugurated the Caretaker Committee of the Edo State chapter of NLC headed by Prof. Monday Igbafen.
The Edo State House of Assembly had, on Tuesday, passed a resolution asking the NLC to shelve its planned inauguration of the Committee and work with Comrade Bernard Egwakhide.
However, the National Leadership of the NLC had dissolved the state leadership and announced a caretaker committee which is to be inaugurated on Thursday.
A statement by the NLC signed by its Acting National Secretary, Benson Upah and made available to the PUNCH on Wednesday said the Edo State government was trying to frustrate its efforts to inaugurate the caretaker committee as he said keys to the NLC secretariat have not been released to its team.
He said Union decided to set up a caretaker committee after it met with the state governor, Monday Okpebholo who made it clear that he would not work with Olaye as chairman of the NLC in the state and that his decision was in line with labour law and global practices.
However, on Thursday, the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House where the inauguration was scheduled to take place was locked in an apparent move to stop the inauguration.
Security was tightened at the venue but the labour leaders from the National Secretariat led by Comrade Oluwole Sunday picked the ASUU Secretariat inside the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin for the inauguration.
It was gathered that the venue was leaked and the NLC leaders moved to an undisclosed venue where the inauguration took place.
Oluwole urged the Caretaker Committee to resolve all issues and ensure new executives are elected.
However, some NLC leaders from neighbouring states, who were scheduled to attend the inauguration, at the Labour House, expressed regret that they could not access the secretariat.
Comrade Augustine Igben from the Maritime Workers Union said he was embarrassed when he was not allowed entry into the Edo Labour House.
He said, “I felt embarrassed about the whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war? It is a labour issue. They should allow labour to settle the issues themselves.
“I was not allowed entry. Where am I going to pass through? There were lots of security. I also saw some civilians mixed up with them.”
