Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has faulted the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for recognising the factional leadership produced in the state during the April 25 delegates conference.
Umahi faulted the action in his letter to NLC President Ayuba Wabba, dated May 10.
Wabba had in his letter to the governor, dated May 2, forwarded names of officers elected during the April 25 delegates conference.
He listed them as: Ikechukwu Nwafor, Chairman, Emmanuel Item, Vice Chairperson, Charles Aneke, Vice Chairperson and Amiara Tobias, Auditor.
Others are Kelechi Nwanchor, Auditor and Anthony Egwu, Treasurer.
He listed the functions of the state executive to include transacting business of the congress at the state level, as well as keeping watch in all industrial trends in the state, among others,
But the governor in his letter accused the NLC national leadership of turning blind eye to the squabble which culminated into factional leadership in the NLC, Ebonyi chapter.
It would be recalled that two congresses took place in the state on April 25, 2019 in which Leonard Nkah and Ikechukwu Nwafor emerged chairmen.
The governor decried the action of the national leadership of NLC in recognising Ikechukwu Nwafor–led faction, rather than resolving the crisis between the two factions.
According to Umahi, NLC leadership at the national level has failed to adopt tangible measures toward resolving the impasse between Leornard Nkah-led faction and Ikechukwu Nwafor–led group.
Umahi said that the state government recognised the Leonard Nkah-led faction because the conference where he and other state officials were elected was conducted in Ebonyi and in a peaceful manner.
“Ikechukwu Nwafor-leadership of NLC in Ebonyi portends danger to industrial harmony, security and peace in the state.
“This is because security reports did not indicate that any NLC conference where Ikechukwu Nwafor and his cohorts were elected was held on April 25, 2019, anywhere in the state.
“Rather briefs from security agencies in the state clearly indicate that the state delegates conference held in Ebonyi on Thursday, April 25, 2019, during which Leonard Nkah and other officers were elected, was peaceful and without any security breach.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all the security agencies reported that the following persons emerged as officers of NLC, Ebonyi State Council.
“Leonard Nkah, Chairman, Mbam Emmanuel, Vice Chairman, Ngele Thomson Vice Chairman, Elom David, Treasurer and Chukwuma Onwe, Auditor.
“Others are Nnaji Joel Auditor, Okoro Christiana, Ex-Officio, Osim Veronica Ex-Officio.
“I therefore recognise the outcome of the conference as authenticated by security reports,’’ Umahi said.
He added that the issue of factional leadership in NLC, Ebonyi State Council, was laid to rest by the ruling of the National Industrial Court, Enugu.
According to him, the court refused to grant the request of interlocutory injunction sought by Ikechukwu Nwafor, to restrain Nkah from parading himself as acting chairman.
The court in its ruling dated Nov. 16, 2017, held inter alia:“The overriding consideration in granting or refusing this application should be the welfare of majority of the people in Ebonyi State Council of NLC in particular and workers and citizens of Ebonyi in general.
“It is my considered opinion and I so hold, that the granting of this application will certainly lead to a degeneration of the crisis in the Ebonyi State Council and affect the peace and well- being of the people of Ebonyi.
“In the circumstances, I find no merit in the application and it is consequently refused,’’ Justice I. G. Nweneka ruled. (NAN)
