Nigeria Labour Congress not the Owner of Labour Party Says, North-West Zone Chairmen Forum

Nigeria Labour Congress not the Owner of Labour Party Says,  North-West Zone Chairmen Forum

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna , North-West, NIGERIA

The North-West Zone Chairmen Forum have declared their unalloyed support to the leadership of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam saying the Labour Party is an independent registered political party and is not under the Nigeria Labour Congress as the president of Nigeria  Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba claimed it to be.

That the statement made by Comrade  Ayuba Wabba concerning the autonomy of Labour Party is misleading.

This was disclosed to journalists on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in a statement signed by the Chairman, Labour Party, Hon. Engr. Umar Farouk Ibrahim which was read during  a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat  Kaduna.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statements made by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Ayuba Wabba and one Mrs. Ebere Ifendu aimed at misleading the general public about internal political activities of the Labour Party.

“We believe that the meddling of NLC President was a misguided misstep sponsored to tarnish and undermine the leadership of our party under the able leadership of Alh. Abdulkadir Abdulsalam and his team and as well distract Nigerians from the presidential declaration of the immediate past governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko”.

“Therefore, it has become unavoidably necessary to put the issue in their proper perspective as follows:

1 .That the statement was issued out of malice, prejudice, ignorance, selfishness, greed and motivated by political opponents who are afraid of the growing fortunes and prospects of the party as we inch closer to the 2019 general elections.

2 .That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated categorically that the National Chairman of Labour Party is Alhaji     Abdulkadir Abdulsalam. It is therefore in bad faith, that  the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba to undermine this position.

3 .That the Labour Party under the leadership of Alhaji Abdulsalam sponsored candidates in the just concluded Ekiti and Osun Elections and the party will continue to participate in all the elections comes 2019.

Stressing on the Labour Party’s autonomy, the statement further added.

“While we appreciate and acknowledge the solidarity of organized labour with our party, we state that the Nigeria Labour Congress is NOT the owners of Labour Party as argued by Wabba. Once a Political Party is registered it has a life of its own, and it can only be regulated by its constitution (see section 80 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

“We want to advise the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba to focus on his roles as President of the Nigerian Labour Congress and address issues affecting workers instead of meddling into the activities of political parties which could eventually consume him.

“Nigerians are not unaware of the plight of the Nigerian workers    who are impoverished occasioned by the current low minimum wage, unpaid salaries and allowances while others have been sacked indiscriminately.

“We categorically welcome and support the return of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to our great Party which we believe would add value and enhance the fortunes and image of Labour Party.

The current leadership of our party under the able leadership of Salam believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of our constitution.

“We therefore call on Nigerians to support Labour Party and its candidates all over the country to bring the desired change and progress in managing our affairs.

In conclusion, we want to  reiterate that we remain friends and comrades of the organised labour and trades unions.

The following are the signatories.

Alhaji Mohammed Raji-Kano State Chairman; Hon. Salihu ZaiyanuHaske-Zamfara State; Alhaji Isiyaku Aliyu-Jigawa State;

Hon. Engr. Umar Faruk- Kaduna State; Alhaji Dan Ali Kasarawa-Sokoto State; Alhaji Ibrahim HabuMusawa- Katsina State