Labour Party Accuses NLC of Blackmail, Warns Against Threats to Its Offices

The Labour Party (LP) has accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of trying to intimidate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies through threats and blackmail.

This comes after NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, reportedly threatened to storm LP offices across the country.

In a statement released by LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party said it would normally ignore such threats but felt the need to speak out to reassure its members and defend itself against “rascality and intimidation.” LP described the NLC’s actions as an attempt to pressure INEC and law enforcement into taking unlawful steps.

“The Supreme Court has made it clear that internal party leadership is not something the courts interfere with,” the statement said. “The Court did not sack the National Working Committee (NWC) or declare that its tenure had ended. If Joe Ajaero and his supporters are confused about this, they should get proper legal advice.”

The party also clarified the timeline of its leadership, saying the executive elected in 2019 had its tenure extended by one year in 2023, an extension that was approved during a meeting attended by the NLC itself. A new leadership was then elected at a national convention held in March 2024, ahead of the tenure’s June expiration, in line with both the LP constitution and the Electoral Act.

“There has been no leadership vacuum,” LP insisted. “The court case we filed wasn’t even about leadership, it was to compel INEC to release the uploading code for the Ondo State governorship election.”

LP further criticized an NEC meeting held in Umuahia, calling it “unauthorized” and declaring any resolutions from that meeting “null and void.” It also warned against another planned meeting in Abuja, describing it as a continuation of illegal actions.

The party accused Ajaero of turning the NLC into a tool for personal political battles, citing a 2024 incident where NLC members allegedly broke into LP’s national headquarters and took away valuables a matter reportedly still under police investigation.

“Threatening to attack political party offices has become the norm for the NLC under Ajaero’s leadership,” the statement read. “This is not how a responsible unionist behaves. Ajaero should focus on improving workers’ welfare, not playing politics. He’s no longer fit to lead the Labour Union.”

LP emphasized that the NLC has no legal basis to interfere in the party’s affairs, stating that the Labour Party is not involved in any trade dispute and doesn’t employ NLC staff.

“If Ajaero and his group resort to self-help, we’ll take legal action,” LP warned. “We’re ready to notify the Registrar of Trade Unions if necessary.”