Former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly (NASS), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has received knocks for attacking and allegedly betraying the Labour movement whose platform brought him to national prominence.
The rebuke is coming from a former Branch Chairman of Arewa Textiles PLC, Kaduna, Comrade Ibrahim Usman, while reacting to the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President’s recent television interview.
Comrade Usman described Senator Oshiomhole’s comments as “disappointing and a distortion of historical facts”, saying for a man who benefitted so much from Labour, his current disposition clearly demonstrates ingratitude and depicts him as one biting the fingers that fed him so well.
He said it is unfortunate that in an attempt to please his political masters and business allies, Oshiomhole has abandoned decorum and become unscrupulous in dishing out half truths to the public.
According to Comrade Usman, “It was heartbreaking watching Adams on national television tear down the same labour movement that lifted him from the factory floor to national prominence”.
While recalling his time working under Oshiomhole in the Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers’ Union, where he served as Chairman of Arewa Textiles PLC, the former Labour Leader said, “I know this history firsthand. Oshiomhole was the General Secretary of our union from 1982 until 2008 when his tenure as NLC President ended.
“We all remember when Comrade Isah Aremu took over from him, so why distort the facts?.”
Faulting Oshiomhole’s claims of resigning from the Textile Union in 1999 upon becoming NLC President, Comrade Usman said, “It was painful to hear him boldly lie that he resigned as General Secretary in 1999. It was normal then to hold both positions since an affiliate Union post differs from a central labour position such as NLC or TUC.”
Usman, who also accused Oshiomhole of selling out and hypocrisy for criticizing workers’ rights to strike, boldly declared, “This is the same Adams who would once have gone overboard for the slightest provocation. Now, he demonizes the withdrawal of service, the very weapon of workers’ resistance.”
He alleged that Oshiomhole’s recent stance is only protecting billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, who were among those top supporters of ambition of becoming Edo State governor some years ago, adding, “To kill the movement in favour of Dangote, who bankrolled his governorship election? That’s a betrayal.”
Also noting Oshiomhole’s role during the collapse of Nigeria’s once-vibrant textile industry, Comrade Usman said, “Was it not under his watch that over 60,000 textile workers lost their jobs and dozens of mills shut down? He witnessed and led through that collapse.”
For the former Labour Leader, Senator Oshiomhole’s silence over the alleged dismissal of 800 young engineers at the refinery shows where his loyalties now lie in the current engagement involving Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN,
Comrade Usman further claimed, “Maybe that’s why the illegal dismissal of 800 young engineers at Dangote Refinery doesn’t move him. His attack on PENGASSAN is not just disappointing, it is a betrayal.”
He maintaining that history would not forget Oshiomhole’s recent actions, saying, “History has a long memory. Adams can choose to forget where he came from, but those of us who walked that journey won’t.
“The labour movement gave him a name, a platform, and a voice when he needed it. Now he’s shoving away the ladder so others may not climb. Truly sad.
“He may turn his back on the struggle, but the struggle will always be remembered.”
