Ekiti Labour Leaders Disown Fayemi's Endorsement Rally

By Lere Olayinka

Veteran Labour leaders in Ekiti State have disowned the endorsement rally held by the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayo Aluko and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman, Comrade Raphael Olaiya, saying; "The endorse was merely by Aluko, Olaiya and their families because no member of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of NLC and state industrial unions attended the rally."

In a release signed by its Chairman, Comrade Idowu Faleye and Secretary, Comrade Dare Ofere, the labour leaders said "No national officer of the NLC attended the rally and State Chairmen and Secretaries of Unions in the State did not attend."

"What happened in Ado-Ekiti today was simply a congregation of All Progressives Congress (APC) members, masquerading as workers.

"The non-attendance of the paid endorsement rally by all industrial unions in the State was a show of total rejection of the governor, and we salute the industrial union leaders for towing the path of honour.

"A one-time President of NLC, Hassan Sumonu, who attended the rally is a known business partner of Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ghana, and this was even acknowledged by Sumonu himself, who described Fayemi as his long time friend and brother," the labour leaders said.

While contending that the State NLC chairman had no moral rights to remain in office, the veteran labour leaders said; "We also call for the immediate removal of the State NLC Chairman, Ayo Aluko and the TUC chairman, Raphael Olaiya for going against the trade unions laws and principles.

"Most importantly, we are aware that the NLC chairman, Ayo Aluko has been penciled down as the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency I.

"It has therefore become necessary for Aluko to leave office as the State Chairman of the NLC, so as to be able to face his political ambition without creating bad precedence in the labour circle."