Aggrieved Unionists Plot Dismissal of NLC Chairman

The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Ade Adesanmi may be removed by some aggrieved members over undue loyalty to the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and apathetic posture to the protest declared to ensure payment of salaries and pensions.

Adesanmi’s predecessor in office, Mr. Ayodeji Aluko had garnered the support of the immediate past Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya to oust the NLC chairman.

Aluko described Adesanmi as a serious scandal and disappointment to the labour unionists and leaders worldwide for allegedly hobnobbing with Fayose to the detriment of the workers and pensioners in the state.

He accused Adesanmi of placing high premium on maintaining solid fraternity with the governor by soft-pedaling on agitations for the payment of between five and nine month salary arrears owed the entire workforce and pensioners.

He spoke with THISDAY in Ado Ekiti yesterday, saying it was disheartening that Adesanmi and his TUC counterpart, Mr. Odunayo Adesoye shunned the protest declared by workers last week to demand for the payment of their entitlements on the feeble premise that it was not authorized by labour centres.

Aluko said the TUC chairman was rather very fortunate to have served out his term and only holding forth pending the time another election will be conducted, unlike Adesanmi, whose tenure will expire next year.

He noted that they had started mobilising entire workforce and gathering signatures to remove the NLC chairman from office.

However, Adesanmi, who was aware of the clandestine plot against him, had summoned the meeting of the all affiliate labour unions in Ekiti, where a vote of confidence was passed on the leadership of the NLC and TUC.