Nigeria Labour Congress Queries Lagos Chairman Over Tinubu Support

• The Nigeria Labour Congress has queried Lagos State Council Chairman Agnes Sessi over her involvement with Working People United.
• The dispute highlights a tension between trade unions' political affiliations and their constitutional mandate.
• Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees workers' right to freedom of association, which WoPU claims is being infringed upon by the NLC's actions.

The group argues that there is no provision in the NLC constitution requiring a political support group to obtain approval from national leadership before operating.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has found itself at odds with one of its own, Agnes Sessi, the Lagos State Council Chairman. The rift stems from her involvement with Working People United (WoPU), a group backing President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027. Despite the NLC national secretariat's directive to steer clear of WoPU, Sessi participated in its activities on Wednesday, raising questions about her responsibilities as an elected officer. The NLC has queried her over her association with the organisation, accusing her of disregarding their directive and failing to consult the congress leadership before associating with WoPU.

The dispute highlights a broader issue within the labour movement - the tension between trade unions' political affiliations and their constitutional mandate. The NLC's directive has sparked debate over the extent to which national leadership can regulate officials' and members' political activities, particularly as elections approach. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, which WoPU claims is being infringed upon by the NLC's actions. The group argues that there is no provision in the NLC constitution requiring a political support group to obtain approval from national leadership before operating.

The conflict between trade unions and their members' political affiliations underscores the need for labour leaders to balance their constitutional mandate with workers' rights. The NLC's actions have implications for compliance with labour laws, and lawyers advising clients in the sector should be aware of this tension. As political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, labour circles are debating the extent to which national leadership can regulate officials' and members' political activities. This development highlights the potential for conflict between trade unions and their members' political affiliations, underscoring the need for labour leaders to balance their constitutional mandate with workers' rights.

This development highlights the potential for conflict between trade unions and their members' political affiliations, underscoring the need for labour leaders to balance their constitutional mandate with the rights of workers to freedom of association. Lawyers advising clients in the labour sector should be aware of this tension and its implications for compliance with labour laws.

Source: Original reporting via Saturday PUNCH