NLC Disowns Gov Okpebholo’s Organised May Day Parade

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disowned an order allegedly directing Edo State workers to compulsorily attend Governor Monday Okpebholo’s May Day parade.

The NLC said that it should be noted that May Day is a workers’ celebration, and not a government’s event, stressing that no worker is under any compulsion to attend any government-organized parade.

The umbrella organisation of Trade Unions, vowed that it would take all measures to defend its independence and stand firmly with workers of Edo State unconditionally.

It described the alleged circular as dubious, fake and unauthorized purportedly issued by an individual claiming to be the “Acting State Secretary” of the NLC Edo State Council, directing workers to attend a Governor’s parade on May 1st, 2025.

The NLC National leadership in a statement by Ismail Bello, Deputy General Secretary, specifically declared that its earlier directive (Ref: 22nd April 2025) remains valid, stressing that Affiliates in Edo State are to commemorate the 2025 May Day independently in their respective union offices, in line with Congress’s efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in the state council.

It further said; “The NLC has no official position known as “Acting State Secretary”. The individual behind this circular is an impostor, and his motives are highly questionable. We urge workers and the public to disregard this fraudulent document. He clearly neither works for the NLC nor for the workers.

“We reiterate that Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide is not known in any of our statutes or records as the Chairman of NLC in Edo State. When there is a change in the components of NLC’s Edo State council leadership, members of the Public and our social partners would be informed accordingly.

“Threats of sanctions for non-attendance are null, void, and a blatant unacceptable intimidation tactic. Trade unions are independent organizations that function in line with the dictates of their rules free from any external interference,” it said.

The NLC however, reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the Edo State Council crisis and ensuring a united, worker-centric celebration of May Day.