Edo: Security agents take over NLC secretariat, fail to stop caretaker committee inauguration

There was tension at the Benin City secretariat of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Thursday as security operatives took over the premises in a bid to stop the inauguration of a caretaker committee for the state council by the national leadership of the body.

the State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, passed a resolution directing the National President of the NLC, Comrade Peter Ajaero, to halt the proposed inauguration of the caretaker committee for the state council.

The inauguration of the caretaker committee, to be headed by Prof Monday Igbafen, of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who is equally the coordinator of the Benin Zone of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, was slated for August 28, 2025.

The Edo Assembly opined that the inauguration of a caretaker committee amounts to the imposition of executive authority on the state chapter.

It noted that the development might lead to a breach of security and harmony within the organised labour body in the state.

The House, which said the Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide-led executive is the only recognised body in the state, urged security agencies to ensure law and order at the NLC secretariat.

Ahead of the inauguration slated for 10:00 am on Thursday, the premises of the secretariat was taken over by security operatives – to prevent the venue from being used for the inauguration.

It was gathered that the delegation from the national body of the NLC, led by Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, however, relocated to the ASUU secretariat inside the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin.

It was also learnt that due to the alleged leakage of the venue to security operatives and those opposed to the inauguration, the labour union leaders again relocated to another venue, where the inauguration finally occurred.

Addressing the caretaker members, Oluwole urged them to put mechanisms in place to resolve all issues and ensure new executives are elected.

In his remarks, Monday Igbafen, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, promised to reunite all Edo NLC factions.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, banned the inauguration of the caretaker committee on any of its two campuses.

A statement signed by Benedicta Ehanire, the Public Relations Officer of the university, said the management of the institution is averse to the use of its facilities for any political or union event, including meetings and rallies without approval.

The university directed the officials overseeing all its facilities not to entertain any request or application for the use of such facilities for purposes inconsistent with the mandate of the university as an academic institution.

Ehanire stated that the leadership of staff and students’ unions in the university have also been advised to avoid any gathering not approved by the management of the university or for which prior notice has not been given to management.