The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has condemned the alleged misuse of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for personal gain, describing it as an affront on the core principles that the workers’ body stands for.
According to the NDYC, the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero’s actions have allegedly compromised the integrity of the NLC and undermined its core principles of protecting and advancing Nigerian workers’ rights.
National Coordinator of the NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, in a statement, criticised Ajaero’s response to the recent fuel price increase as “deeply misleading” and a smokescreen for his political motives.
Uwejeyan argued that Ajaero’s attempts to portray himself as a victim of government policies were disingenuous, given the economic circumstances Nigeria faces.
The NDYC also condemned Ajaero’s involvement in political activities, such as the last Imo State gubernatorial election, which it said threatened to degrade the NLC’s reputation and inflame political tensions.
The statement further denounced Ajaero’s attempts to embroil the NLC in his personal legal troubles, including serious allegations of conspiring with a British citizen to overthrow a democratically elected government.
Uwejeyan emphasises that Ajaero must face the charges as an individual and not hide behind the NLC. The NDYC called on the leadership of the NLC to safeguard the Congress’s integrity and remind Ajaero that the NLC is not a shield for personal legal battles or political maneuvering.
The NDYC urged Ajaero to cease using the NLC for personal agendas and instead work collaboratively with the government to develop and implement policies that benefit all Nigerians, including the labour force.
The statement concluded with a firm call for the NLC to return to its true purpose, advocating for workers’ rights and welfare without personal or political interests.
The statement read: “The misuse of the NLC for personal gain is not only irresponsible but also a blatant disregard for the core principles that the Congress stands for—the protection and advancement of Nigerian workers’ rights.
“Any attempt by the leadership of the NLC to portray themselves as a victim of government policies, particularly in the context of the recent fuel pump price increase, are deeply misleading.
“While the increase in fuel prices is undeniably burdensome, any well-informed economist understands that, given the economic circumstances Nigeria currently faces, such an adjustment was necessary to fulfill the minimum wage demands championed by the NLC.
“It is also disturbing to note that infusing personal political affiliations into the activities of the NLC, as was egregiously demonstrated during the gubernatorial elections in Imo State is not worthy as such actions threaten to inflame political tensions and degrade the reputation of the NLC, an institution that should remain neutral and focused solely on the welfare of Nigerian workers.
“Enough is enough. Nigerians are wise to these tactics, and we will no longer tolerate the politicization of the NLC. We stand firm in our call for the NLC to return to its true purpose—advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers, free from the taint of personal and political interests.”