ABUJA — THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has warned the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to steer clear from interfering with the activities of State chapter of the Congress.

NLC told the governor that it was too early for him to start a fight with labour, reminding him that trade unions are protected by law and under no circumstances should their affairs be interfered with by the state or any entity or be forcefully brought under the governance or control of any other.

A statement on Thursday, titled: “Leave Edo State Council of NLC Alone,” and signed by the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, frowned at the alleged unauthorized breaking in of the state office by some police personnel of Edo State Police Command.

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The statement read: ‘We are disturbed by a recorded incident of unauthorised/illegal breaking in and entry of the offices of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by some police personnel of Edo State Police Command.

“The incident happened in Benin City in the absence of the Chairperson of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress who is attending the annual Harmattan School in Abuja.

“Neither the police nor any other entity has offered an explanation for this criminal behaviour but there are speculations that the police might have acted at the instance of the new Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo

“However, whether the police acted alone or at the behest of the governor, we demand an apology and retracing of steps unconditionally.

“Trade unions are protected by law, under no circumstances are their affairs to be interfered with by the state or any entity or be forcefully brought under the governance or control of any other.

“Acts of intimidation of trade unions or their leaders are equally off-limits as these constitute not only a violation of trade union/human rights but a threat to our hard-won democracy.

“In light of the foregoing, the governor is advised to steer off labour matters in the state.

“As a brand-new governor, he should have his priorities. We would hate to think that authorising the harassment of trade union leaders is one of them.

“As for the police, they should retrieve their honour if they can, by not lending themselves to the performance of dirty jobs in contravention of their oath of office.

“Leave Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress alone! It is too soon to start a fight with us.”