Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has congratulated Comrade Ayuba Wabba, on his victory as the new President of the NLC in the just concluded 11th National Delegates Conference of the Congress.
The former NLC President said in a congratulatory letter addressed to the new NLC President that the Nigerian Labour Movement had lost a significant amount of prestige and influence in the sight of the Nigerian working people and the Nigerian public at large.
However, Comrade Oshiomhole urged Comrade Ayuba to provide a focused and dynamic leadership for the labour movement.
“There is no appropriate moment than now to also work assiduously to re-position the Congress and brace up to the challenge of revolution of expectations of the affiliates of the Congress and Nigerians as a whole, while also providing a focused and dynamic leadership that will chart a new course for the Nigerian labour movement as vanguard in the struggle for good governance, democratic consolidation and social justice,” he said.
Calling the attention of Comrade Ayuba to the challenges faced by the labour movement, Oshiomhole said “There is also the challenge of re-uniting and rebuilding confidence amongst all the affiliates of the Congress in the spirit of unity and solidarity that the Nigerian Labour Movement shares.
“In the same vein, there is also the important task of deepening the strategic connection between the Congress and the Nigerian civil society.”
The Edo State Governor further emphasised that as Comrade President, Ayuba should see his victory as a collective and not personal one, adding that his tenure to lead the NLC is coinciding with one of the most critical periods in Nigeria’s history, politically and economically.
He, therefore, wished the new NLC President a successful tenure, assuring him of his continued solidarity, cooperation and support at all times.
Oshiomhole also appealed to those who felt aggrieved by the outcome of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) assembly, to resist the temptation of convening a factional congress.
“Let me seize this opportunity to appeal to my Comrades, in particular, Comrades Joe Ajaero, Issa Aremu and Igwe Achese to resist the temptation of convening a factional congress either on Friday or at any other date.
“Having fought the good fight, there is honour in conceding to defeat even in the face of imperfections,” he said.
However, he enjoined them all to submit to the demands of democratic principles, by extending the hands of fellowship to the new leadership in order to get on with the task of re-positioning the Nigerian Labour Congress.
