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NLC Confab Ends In Free-For-All
The National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ended in crisis as delegates who converged on the International Conference Centre, Abuja, to elect a new president to succeed the outgoing President of the congress, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, engaged one another in fisticuffs and used the chairs at the venue as weapons to combat each other.
Trouble started deep into the election on Wednesday night when some discrepancies were observed in ballot papers that were used for the seemingly peaceful elections.
Some of the delegates felt that the ballot papers were deliberately printed to facilitate the rigging of the election in favour of one of the candidates.
The candidates for the prestigious position of President of the NLC are the National President, Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, who is also the national treasurer of the NLC; the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr. Joe Ajaero, who is also a deputy president of the NLC; and the President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr. Achese Igwe.
According to the aggrieved unionists, some of the ballot papers had the name of Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in three places; some had the name of Mr. Joe Ajaero in two places; others had no name of Ajaero at all while some with the name of Ajaero had no serial number.
The delegates from NUPENG were said to have called attention to the discrepancies in the ballot papers.
The ensuing argument between the delegates loyal to Wabba and Ajaero, threw the venue of the election into pandemonium as the unionists shouted at each other until they started throwing chairs.
Delegates, who claimed to be fighting for fairness in the conduct of the election, scattered the ballot boxes and became uncontrollable.
The Tide learnt that Wabba seemed to have brighter chances of being elected as the next President of the congress until Tuesday evening when Igwe stepped down for Ajaero, and declared support for him which made the election more competitive.
Delegates loyal to Ajaero claim that the organisers of the election might have allowed deliberate errors in the ballot papers to pave the way for the election of Wabba.
The inability to elect a replacement for Omar as president of the NLC has plunged the congress into a constitutional crisis as the tenure of the former president has lapsed without an elected successor.
The leadership of the congress has called a meeting of the National Administrative Council to decide on how to solve the impasse.
With the outcome of the 2015 Delegate Conference, the NLC is heading for a major division involving its major affiliate unions contributing huge sums of money into its purse.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene