The Labour Party (LP) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to cease its interference in the party’s affairs, as directed by the Registrar of Trade Unions in Nigeria, Mr. Falonipe Amos.
Mr. Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, made this announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
The NLC has been in a prolonged dispute with the leadership of the Labour Party, claiming ownership of the party.
The registrar’s directive followed a letter from LP National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, dated July 10, 2024, titled: “Request for Your Urgent Intervention: The Need to Define the Roles of NLC.”
Amos stated that the Act establishing the NLC does not allow it to interfere in the political activities of any party. He referred the NLC to Section 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Trade Unions Act ‘Cap T14 & TI5 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The section states: “On no account should NLC be involved in the running or patronizing of political parties or persons into elective office.”
Additionally, Section 15 (1) of the Trade Union Act explicitly states that it is illegal for the NLC or any other trade union to use funds generated by its members to further any political objective.
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This includes contributing to the funds of any political party and paying expenses incurred by a candidate or prospective candidate for election to any political office in Nigeria.
“I urge the leadership of the NLC to be guided by these provisions of the Trade Unions Act when dealing with the Labour Party or any other political parties,” Ifoh quoted the registrar as saying.