Embattled Nasarawa State NLC chairman suspends industrial action

MR Abdulahi Adeka, the embattled Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Nasarawa State chapter, has announced the suspension of the ongoing strike action embarked upon by organised labour in the state.

Organised labour in the state embarked on an indefinite strike from Friday, May 12, to press home their demand for payment of arrears of salaries and entitlements.

Adeka who addressed a press conference on Saturday in Lafia, said the industrial action was suspended because government had implemented the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
He said that the agreement was reached between the state government and organised labour in December 2016.

“Government has started the implementation of the agreement judiciously.

“Secondly, we considered the future of our children that are to commence the National Examination Council; Basic Education Examinations etc,” he said.

Adeka also said that the union suspended the industrial action to enable women participate in the maternal and child health programme, scheduled to commence on Monday.

He further said that many affiliates of the NLC were not in support of the strike action.

“NLC and government are partners in progress not enemies; we disagree to agree in line with the collective bargaining principle.

“On that note, we will continue to dialogue with government to ensure that all entitlements of our members are fully implemented.”

Adeka also stressed that he still remained the substantive and legitimate NLC chairman in the state.
According to him, his purported removal from office was illegal, adding that only the National secretariat of the union can remove him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the Nasarawa State NLC chapter on Thursday removed Adeka from office in absentia.

He was removed for allegedly fraternising with the state government against the interest of workers.

Mr Yusuf Iya, a member of the group that removed Adeka, had told newsmen in Lafia on Thursday that the decision followed a vote of no confidence passed on the chairman by the state executive.

He said that Mr Bala Umar, was appointed the new chairman of the union.