NLC, Ngige sound war drums over inauguration of NSITF Board

Save for an unlikely intervention by an unbiased party, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is poised for a showdown with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige over the failed inauguration of the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

Mr Ayuba Wabba, has consequently declared a one-day national protest in Abuja over an attack on its members during a peaceful protest by thugs allegedly loyal to Ngige on Wednesday.

Wabba sounded the war drum on Thursday at the end of an emergency meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC in Abuja.

He said the protest is against the action of Senator Ngige and demanded an apology from the minister and the Federal Government over the action of the thugs it said infringed on the fundamental right of workers to protest.

Wabba also called for the inauguration of the board of the NSITF, with Mr Frank Kokori as its chairman, without further delay.

It could be recalled that the NLC members were on Wednesday dispersed at Ngige residence, with 9 persons injured, as the workers had gone there to picket the house over the delay by the minister to inaugurate the board of the NSITF.

However, picking up the gauntlet, Ngige has given the leadership of the NLC seven days to apologise for the invasion of his private residence.

In a statement by Mr Nwachukwu Obidiwe, his Special Assistant on Media, the minister is consulting on the appropriate legal actions against the illegality by the NLC.

He added that it was outside the ambit of NLC powers to issue directives to the Federal Government on how to carry out its responsibilities, but revealed that plans were on for the inauguration of the board of the NSITF, which he said would take place soonest.

He said: “The thrust of today’s press conference by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Waba is predictable. Hence, we succinctly wish to respond that the sanctity of the provisions of section 37 of the 1999 constitution on the rights of all Nigerians to private life cannot be annulled by an inferior provisions of the Labour Act on picketing.

“The invasion and obstruction of the private residence of the Minister of Labour and Employment, preventing him, his wife, children and families of his personal aides, quartered in the same compound and throwing them into huge trauma, is illegal and inexcusable under the guise of unionism. His conduct is arson with a clear intention to cause maximum destruction."

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