TUC, others advise NLC to ensure hitch-free election

BY ABU IDRISU

The Trade Union Congress and other affiliates have advised the Nigeria Labour Congress to ensure a hitch-free conduct of the NLC election rescheduled for March 12.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama, urged the congress to put its house in order, to avoid another election disruption.
“We are happy that they have been able to resolve their differences and on March 12, they will be able to conduct the election; it is a very good development,” Mr. Kaigama said. “We strongly believe that whatever difficulties they faced, it should be like an eye-opener to correct and see that it does not repeat itself.”
Mr. Kaigama said that TUC was in solidarity with the NLC and would continue to collaborate and support the congress to ensure that it overcomes its difficulties.
“We believe that the Nigeria Labour Congress will come out stronger,” he said.
In a separate interview, Sunday Alhassan, the President, Nigeria Union of Postal Telecommunication Employees, urged the NLC to act as a role model for Nigerian workers.
“We have looked at the entire politics that is going on and we know that things are not right; so we have to show very good example,” he said. “Whatever the shortcomings that made us not to conclude the 11th National Delegates’ conference, we want to say that with the new date that we have set for ourselves, we should all play by the rules. By playing by the rules and regulations of the labour constitution, we will be able to elect good leadership that would protect the masses and the workers.”
Mr. Alhassan called on the delegates to be peaceful and avoid violence in the forthcoming elections.
Yemi Bamgbose, the President of the Radio Television, Theatre and Arts workers’ Union of Nigeria, advised the Credentials Committee to ensure that it overcomes whatever pitfalls that might occur during the forthcoming election.
“The Credentials Committee that is saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election should follow due process and avoid the previous pitfalls,” Mr. Bamgbose said. “They must work in conformity with the rules and norms of holding an election of this magnitude.”
While advising the committee to ensure the venue of the election was conducive, Mr. Bamgbose further urged the delegates to abide by the constitution of the NLC.
The election held on February 11 during the National Delegates’ Conference to elect a new leadership ended in chaos.
The contenders accused each other of perpetrating irregularities.