Labour leaders threaten showdown with Amosun

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to fight the injustice of Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Ogun State workers.
NULGE President Ibrahim Khaleel made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that NULGE members in all the states of the federation would be ready to back any action taken by the two trade unions in supporting workers in Ogun.
“We are fully ready to support and fight the injustice of the state on our members, not only at the state level but also at the national.”
He said that following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum, workers in the state under the state chapters of NLC and TUC, and Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, had resumed the suspended strike.
According to Khaleel, workers’ demands included payment of outstanding 12 months check-off dues, outright stoppage of contributory pension deductions, and immediate payment of 12 months of deductions.
The president assured workers in Ogun that NULGE leadership would support them in their strike.
“Information revealed that thugs allegedly used by government officials attacked the labour leaders and some union members who gathered to prosecute the commencement of the strike,” he said.
Khaleel, who is also the National Treasurer of the NLC, said both the NLC and the TUC had taken same steps against the governments of some states, including Imo, Nasarawa, and also mediated in a similar situation in Osun and Oyo states.
“We are here for our people and we are going to do all within our power to see that our members are okay,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State Council, on Wednesday, condemned the dismissal of Ogun State chairman of NLC and 15 others by the state government.
 Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the Lagos State Council Chairman of NLC, made the condemnation in Lagos.
Amosun, on Monday, approved the dismissal of the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Akeem Ambali, his deputy, Comrade Dare Ilekoya, and 14 others.
The dismal of the labour leaders was contained in a report of a panel of inquiry set up to investigate alleged misconduct of executive members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers on the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration.
The event held on October 5, at the NUT Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta.
According to Korodo, the dismissal of the labour leaders is contrary to the rule of law.
“The sack of workers’ leaders in Ogun State is wrong; it is not done in a democratic setting.
“We, in the Lagos council, condemn the act; we are advising the Ogun State Government to reinstate the sacked workers to avoid the wrath of other labour unions in the state.
“We are appealing to the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to put his state in order.
“What is happening in Ogun State can set the state on fire if nothing is done to reverse it in time,” he said.
“The government should emulate other state governments that have resolved their labour issues without sacking any of their labour leaders,’’ he said.