The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State has confirmed the sealing of the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the alleged leadership crisis rocking the body.
Recall that on Thursday, the NLC had announced the removal of its state chairperson, Comrade Beatrice Itubo following her emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State ahead of the 2023 elections.
Consequently, a statement signed by its Vice-Chairpersons, Mr Morford Temple, Mr Alex Ikechi, Mr Opi Erekosima and Mr Awashi Eze announced the appointment of Mr Emecheta Chuku as the new Chairperson.
Confirming the development, the Command’s spokesperson, Olufemi Ayodele, said the action followed an intelligence report that there was a fracas between the Labour Union and its leader.
He noted that there was a claim that Itubo was using the Secretariat, located at Igbokwu Street in the D/Line axis of Port Harcourt for political meetings.
According to him, the command has the mandate to maintain law, order and also protect critical state assets.
“As a result of preventing unforeseen circumstances occurring between the two. They called on us to seal up the place for the moment as the labour union executive and members were not using the premises. So, it is preferable for the security to take over the place.
“One of the very salient mandates of the NSCDC is to monitor trade unions. So, we are there to protect critical national assets and infrastructure in that premises,” Ayodele said.
It was learnt that the friction in the union started when some members asked the state chairperson, Itubo to step aside after she emerged as the governorship candidate of the state Labour Party.
Meanwhile, the NLC state executive has expressed displeasure at the level of desperation of some of its members to forcefully take over power from Itubo.
In a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Port Harcourt, the state NLC Secretary, Alade Mathew, condemned what he termed a desperate attempt by some of its members to subvert the extant leadership of Itubo.
It also condemned the takeover of its secretariat by security forces, urging them to immediately withdraw to enable members to carry out their duties without hindrance.
“The SEC in session is abashed with the level of desperation by those involved by way of forging signatories of innocent members to be part of the despicable act and resolve to commence as in-depth investigation to establish the criminal aspects of the action.
“The SEC in session equally frown at the use of security agencies to lock out members of the NLC from carrying out its operational activities and implore the state Commissioner of Police, the Director, SSS and the Commandant, NSCDC, to immediately take all necessary measures to withdraw the armed men stationed at the NLC secretariat,” the communiqué stated.
The state executive council said it also passed a vote of confidence on Itubo, as the law allows her to retain the position as the state NLC chairperson, despite her emergence as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state.
