News

Naira Scarcity: Why We’re Not Protesting On Street – NLC

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2023

Editor

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba on Tuesday, accused the Federal Government of pushing the working population to the wall with its money swap policy.

He said the President and his economic team, comprising the Central Bank of Nigeria, should as a matter of urgency take immediate action to end the excruciating suffering being experienced by Nigerians, occasioned by the scarcity of new naira notes.

Lamenting the situation at the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja, Wabba wondered why there should be scarcity of new naira notes and fuel crisis, both essential needs to Nigerians daily to live a reasonable life.

He said the stance of the government shows no action to arrest the situation.

His words: “Many Nigerians and workers have been pushed to the wall owing to the chaotic situation in our banks and filling stations, where Nigerians are queuing up endlessly to assess new currency notes and PMS. This is not acceptable and is condemned.

“We have more than enough to address those two issues. First, we’re a major oil-producing country but unfortunately, the only country in the world that is a member of OPEC that still depend on importation.

“Secondly, we don’t understand the rationale that you lodge your money in your bank accounts, yet you are limited from withdrawing what you want to use.”

“Our government tend to forget that our economy is rural and informal, and therefore people need to transact business in cash. Go to our local markets, our commodity markets, you will see that people cannot transact businesses without cash.”

He said further: “This policy, if not addressed within the shortest possible time, nobody can predict what will be the outcome. That is the truth of it.

“Yesterday by 12 midnight, I went to Area 8 to get some funds but [none of] the ATM machines was dispensing.

“We have seen a situation where people are protesting in banks [in the] nude, they want to access their money, yet they couldn’t access their money.”

He added, “our political elite must understand the situation and the challenge that people are going through,” while stressing that “we want this situation to be addressed very quickly.”

On why NLC has not taken its displeasure and disappointment on the two burning issues to the street, Wabba said: “There is a theory that possibly labour is working towards making sure that the forthcoming election does not take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. That is why labour has restrained itself from taking to the street in a bid to make sure we have a peaceful transition because we fought for democracy. We supported democracy. We shield our blood for democracy, and therefore will continue to support democracy.”

Meanwhile, a mild drama played out at the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference taking place in Abuja as workers booed former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole in disapproval of his backing of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Delegates attending the event became agitated when Oshiomhole made an attempt to deliver a message from the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

When called to address the mammoth crowd of workers at the Conference hall, Oshiomhole explained that the APC presidential candidate was unavoidably absent at the event because of an already scheduled campaign rally in Ibadan, Oyo State. He, however, said that Tinubu gave him a message to deliver to the workers.

While he was about to deliver the message, thousands of workers at the auditorium unanimously shouted “no, no, no.”

For over four minutes, the crowd continued to shout and refused to be calmed even by Wabba, until Oshiomhole said he will not deliver the message but will address them as their former president.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.