A schism has emerged within the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as disagreements intensify over the planned May Day 2026 celebration.
Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Edo NLC, has called for a boycott of the state government-organized event at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
He has characterized the planned celebration as an affront to workers’ autonomy and an attempt to suppress independent trade unionism.
Prof. Igbafen, in a statement released to newsmen in Benin City, argued that while other state councils of the NLC might find cause for celebration on May Day, the situation in Edo State does not warrant such festivities.
He stated, “The labour environment in Edo today cannot and must not inspire celebration. For how can a people divided ever be joyful?”
He emphasized that May Day is a day of global significance meant to honor the rights, sacrifices, and contributions of workers adding that, “But we, the Caretaker Committee of the Edo State NLC, speaking for every right-thinking worker in this state, declare without apology: the labour environment in Edo today cannot and must not inspire celebration. For how can a people divided ever be joyful?”
“Let it be said plainly: May Day is not for the oppressor. It is not for the compradors, the bourgeoisie, or the employers of labour to parade their dominance. It was never meant to celebrate the conquest of workers’ autonomy, nor to mask the strangulation of independent trade unionism.”
Prof. Igbafen, who noted that the Edo NLC is in a quagmire, said that
every genuine effort to reposition the Edo NLC State Council has been met with repression.
He explained that while the struggle continues, the Edo NLC is in a quagmire.
According to him, “We are locked in struggle against the combined forces of reactionaries, impostors, self-imposed leaders, political collaborators, and labour aristocrats. Every genuine effort to reposition this Council has been met with repression. Yet we are not in despair. The struggle continues.
“Therefore, let the record reflect this truth: No pretentious May Day organized, engineered, and bankrolled by compradors can ever keep alive the glorious philosophy of May Day.
“To the public, and especially to every well-meaning worker in Edo State, we say: Do not be deceived. The gathering scheduled for tomorrow at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, is no true reflection of May Day. It is a hoax.
“Genuine labour leaders and true workers have resolved to stay indoors to mourn, in silence, the present travails of labour in our state. Let the public be rescued from this deception. Let it be known: tomorrow’s assembly is powered neither by the legitimate leadership of the NLC in Edo State, nor by the National Leadership of Congress. Those behind it are usurpers and hijackers of the Edo State Council of the NLC.”Prof. Igbafen said.
The call for a boycott highlights deep-seated issues between the Edo State NLC and the state government.
This division within the Edo NLC raises concerns about the representation and welfare of workers in the state, casting a shadow over the upcoming May Day celebration.
