Distinguished comrades, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of our President, Comrade Peters Godonu, and the entire National Executive Council (NEC), I welcome you to this press conference at our National Secretariat, Textile Labour House, Kaduna, today, September 18, 2025. This briefing addresses recent developments in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), particularly the resignation of our union’s representative, Comrade Mike Ochei, from the Edo State Caretaker Committee.
Last weekend, the media was awash with reports of Comrade Ochei’s resignation from the Professor Monday Igbafen-led caretaker committee. Comrade Ochei, Chairman of the Edo State Tailors chapter of our union, was fully informed and freely accepted his nomination before the national body inaugurated the committee on August 28. He had also been participating actively in the committee’s activities.
We were therefore shocked when, on September 14, reports surfaced alleging he was coerced into joining the committee. This action, unexpected and unilateral, has created needless disaffection within and outside the movement, capable of tarnishing our union’s image. In response, the union’s National Administrative Council (NAC) convened an emergency meeting where it was resolved that the Edo State Executive of our union be dissolved with immediate effect. Our Deputy General Secretary was dispatched to Benin City to tender our apology to the Edo State Caretaker Committee, reaffirm loyalty to the NLC, and jointly address members and the press. The Edo State executive has since been placed on indefinite suspension, while investigations continue into the roles of individuals involved, including the reported assault on journalists.
Let it be clear: the leadership of our union was neither consulted nor carried along by Comrade Ochei before his resignation. His action does not represent the collective position of our union. We strongly condemn and dissociate ourselves from it. It contradicts the democratic traditions, collective spirit, and organizational discipline that define our movement.
As a union, we tender our unreserved apology to the leadership of the NLC. We remain firmly loyal to Comrade Joe Ajaero and the national leadership. We also reaffirm our full support for the Edo State Caretaker Committee as duly constituted by the NLC. We urge all comrades, affiliates, and our members in Edo State to rally behind the committee to reposition and strengthen the Congress in the state.
As a proud affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, our commitment to unity, workers’ rights, and the welfare of the Nigerian working people remains unshaken. We will continue to defend decent work, advance social justice, and uphold the spirit of solidarity.
Long Live NUTGTWN!
Long Live Nigeria Labour Congress!
The Union Makes Us Strong!!
