By Ifeanyi Iheakanwa
The proposed election of Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo state chapter, has been put on hold following some disagreements and uproar that took over the exercise slated to hold at the National Union Local Government Employees premises in Owerri on Saturday 7th of March, 2023.
Dailypost reports that the electoral officer and some members of the national leadership who were present to witness the election scampered for safety and declared the exercise cancelled.
Speaking with the Imo state Caretaker Committee chairman of NLC, Rev. Dr. Nwansi Philip, he described the process as marred with irregularities and hailed the cancellation by the Electoral Officer, EO.
According to him, the screening committee formed by the State Executive Council, SEC, failed to carry out a transparent screening of delegates thereby disenfranchising and disqualifying eligible voters and candidates.
“The NLC election that was scheduled to take place today, the 7th of March, 2023, could not hold because of some problems emanating from the proposed exercise.
“Firstly, the screening committee formed by the State Executive Council, failed to do their job in a transparent manner and as expected. Even to the time of the election, the committee was still not ready to tell the workers of Imo state the situation of things. As a result of that, there was an uproar and consequently, the exercise was cancelled by the Electoral Officer.
“Let me also bring to your notice that some elements in our union led by one George Ofoegbu, has been causing confusion and arrogating power to himself by instigating our members to see him as the incoming chairman.
“The conspired with the screening committee to disqualify some contestants. For example, i am contesting for the position of the chairman, i can tell you that there was no screening of contestants prior to the election. Yet we heard to our surprise that some people have been disqualified by the screening committee. What manner of screening!
“NLC is a noble body and cannot afford to lose its long time reputation at the instance of some elements whose stock in trade is to cause confusion among the people and put the body in the state of disrepute. We wont allow that to happen.
“I thank the Electoral Body for cancelling the election to avert the uproar that was already tensed up. I also call on the national leadership of NLC to come to our rescue and do the needful in ensuring that NLC in Imo state holds a transparent election that will usher in a formidable executives.”
Nwansi who is also the Imo state chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, maintained that he still remains the state chairman of NLC since the election did not hold, admitting that his Caretakership was to end on the 7th of March, 2023.
He added that the government of Imo state had remained neutral in the whole process and should not be accused of anything.
Comrade Pastor Dr. Richards Eze, the Imo President of National Union of Local Government Employees, while reacting to the can cancellation said that himself was also disqualified for the position of the Vice chairman by the screening committee.
Hear him, “i woke up few days before the proposed election to hear that i have been disqualified by the screening committee. And i ask on what basis? Where and when was the screening held? No written letter to my disqualification. Everything was just done orally.
“These are the things that contributed to the situation we have today. You don’t disqualify or disenfranchise eligible voters in this election. If you do, you are fanning the embers of discord among members.
“The major problem we have here in Imo is Comrade George Ofoegbu who arrogates power to himself as if he the new chairman. He once pointed and told me that he must disqualify me. This is funny.”
Dr. Richards who doubles as the state auditor of NLC, appealed to the national leadership to call Comrade Ofoegbu in order for the interest of peace.
When contacted, Comrade George Ofoegbu boasted that he will win with wide margin anytime the election was rescheduled.
He claimed that those who were disqualified by the screening committee recruited thugs to disrupt the exercise, maintaining that screening was held at the state NLC secretariat prior to the election.
He further described the Governor, Hope Uzodinma as a friendly type who does not take side in matters having to do with union or association, calling on NLC workers in the state to remain resolute and law-abiding.
