The Registrar of Trade Unions in Nigeria, Falonipe Amos, has criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for allegedly overstepping its mandate by interfering in the internal affairs of the Labour Party (LP).
Amos has warned that such actions contravene the provisions of the Trade Unions Act, which restricts trade unions from engaging in political activities.
Amos’s criticism, articulated in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, centers around the NLC’s involvement in the operations of the LP, despite legal limitations.
According to the statement, Amos has referred to specific sections of the Trade Unions Act (Cap T14 & T15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), which explicitly prohibit the NLC from participating in political activities or endorsing political candidates.
The conflict between the NLC and the LP has been ongoing, with allegations of the NLC’s interference in the LP’s affairs surfacing repeatedly.
The NLC has been accused of attempting to exert control over the LP by sponsoring internal crises through its agents, including the Political Commission and Labour Party Stakeholders, as well as the NLC’s Transition Committee.
The NLC has allegedly picketed the LP’s national headquarters and state secretariats across Nigeria, further intensifying the dispute.
Additionally, there have been claims that the NLC appointed some of its members to positions within the LP, defying an Appeal Court judgment that upheld the current leadership of the party, led by Barrister Julius Abure.
The Trade Unions Act, as outlined by Amos, forbids trade unions from using funds to further any political objective.
Section 15 (1) of the Act specifies that trade unions cannot contribute financially to political parties, support electoral candidates, or engage in activities such as holding political meetings or distributing political literature unless the primary purpose is to address workers’ employment conditions.
Amos emphasised that these provisions are designed to ensure that trade unions remain focused on their core functions of advocating for workers’ rights and improving working conditions, rather than becoming entangled in political activities.
He urged the NLC to adhere to these legal restrictions and cease its involvement with the Labour Party.
The interference by the NLC has broader political implications, especially given the LP’s role as a significant political force in Nigeria.
The Labour Party has been an important player in Nigerian politics, and its internal stability is crucial for maintaining its effectiveness as an opposition party.
The NLC’s actions, if proven, could undermine the LP’s leadership and exacerbate political instability within the party.
The NLC’s efforts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw its recognition of the LP’s elected executives and the threat to picket INEC offices reflect the high stakes involved.
This conflict is part of a broader pattern of tension between trade unions and political entities in Nigeria.
Historically, the NLC has been a powerful labor organization with significant influence in Nigerian politics.
However, its involvement in political matters has often been contentious.
The LP has condemned the NLC’s interference, asserting that the union’s actions violate legal and constitutional provisions.
On the other hand, the NLC has defended its actions by arguing that its involvement is aimed at ensuring accountability and proper management within the LP.
The NLC has also criticized the LP’s leadership and the legal judgments supporting it, suggesting that there are deeper issues within the party that need to be addressed.
According to Ifoh, “Section 15 (1) of the Trade Union Act specifically states that it is illegal for NLC or any other trade union to use monies generated by its members to the furtherance of any political objective.
He said: “ Following Objectives, and no others, are political objective for the purpose of this section, that is to say “the making of contribution towards the funds of any political party;
“the Payment of any expenses incurred (whether directly or indirectly) by a candidate of prospective candidate for election to any political office in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria, being expense incurred before, during or after election in connection with his candidature or election;
“The holding of any meeting or the distribution of any literature or document in support of any such candidate or prospective candidate;
“The maintenance of any person while he holds in Nigeria or any part of Nigeria a political office to which he has been elected; “the registration of electors in Nigeria or any part thereof; “the holding ofa political meeting of any kind or the distribution of political
literature of political documents of any kind, unless the main purpose of the meeting or distribution is to further the regulation of the terms and conditions of the employment of workers.”
“I wish to urge the leadership of NLC to be guided by the above provisions of the Trade Unions Act in dealing with LP and any other political parties.
