The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, announced on Sunday the cancellation of centralised May Day celebrations in Rivers and Edo states, citing emergency rule in Rivers and political interference in Edo.
The national leadership directed all affiliated unions in Rivers to limit May 1 celebrations to the state NLC secretariat, while unions in Edo were asked to mark the day independently at their union secretariats.
In letters dated April 22, 2025, and signed by Deputy General Secretary Ismail Bello, the NLC condemned the emergency rule in Rivers that led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the appointment of a sole administrator.
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Similarly, the NLC criticized the Edo State Government for allegedly interfering with the NLC’s internal leadership, accusing the administration of creating factions within the state council.
In Rivers, the NLC instructed a peaceful rally at its secretariat, focusing on calls for the restoration of democratic governance and improved workers’ welfare.
In Edo, workers were told to organize independent, peaceful May Day activities amid ongoing efforts to resolve leadership crises.
The strained relations between the Edo government and the NLC stem from disputes over the recognition of Olaye Odion’s leadership, a rift that has resisted attempts at mediation by both the NLC’s national body and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
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