The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is embroiled in a leadership crisis, with two factions vying for control of the union’s executive. Bernard Joman Egwakhide, the acting chairman, claims he remains the legitimate leader of the council, despite the emergence of a rival faction led by Prof Monday Igbafen, backed by NLC President Joe Ajaero.
The crisis deepened after the national headquarters of the NLC allegedly dissolved the Egwakhide-led executive, paving the way for the inauguration of a caretaker committee. On Thursday, 28, 2025, officials from the national headquarters, led by Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, swore in the Igbafen-led caretaker committee at an undisclosed location in Benin City. This move followed the sealing of the union’s secretariat by security agencies.
Egwakhide, however, insists that he remains the authentic acting state chairman of the NLC. He claims that representatives of the national leadership failed to show up for the inauguration of the authentic caretaker committee, which was scheduled to take place at the state NLC secretariat in Benin City. According to Egwakhide, the executives and members of the union waited in vain for the national officials to arrive for the inauguration.
The leadership dispute in the Edo State chapter of the NLC has its roots in the alleged removal of the erstwhile chairman, Odion Olaye, from office. Egwakhide emerged as the caretaker committee chairman after receiving the support of 43 affiliate unions. He alleges that the Joe Ajaero-led national leadership of the union is causing trouble in the state chapter by attempting to impose other caretaker committee members on the workers. Furthermore, Egwakhide claims that Ajaero has flouted a resolution by the Edo State House of Assembly aimed at resolving the leadership crisis and restoring peace to the union.
The ongoing crisis in the Edo State chapter of the NLC has significant implications for the union’s operations and relationships with the state government and other stakeholders. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the leadership dispute will be resolved and what impact it will have on the union’s activities in the state.
