KEY POINTS

• The NLC organization has terminated all central May Day events in Edo state together with Rivers state.
• Rivers ruled its event out due to emergency powers whereas Edo stopped its celebration because of political meddling.
• NLC asks its members to ignore all threats and carry out their celebrations in autonomous gatherings.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cancelled May Day celebrations for Rivers and Edo states because of political crises together with interference in labour matters.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued two separate letters dated April 22, 2025 to direct Rivers unions to organize their Workday ceremonies at the state secretariat and Edo unions to run their celebrations from their individual office locations.

The decision was signed by Deputy General Secretary Ismail Bello who identified emergency rule and the sole administrator appointment in Rivers State as the basis for this action.

According to a letter addressed to NLC chairman Alex Agwanwor the theme ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’ becomes inappropriate in this unique Rivers State context.

The NLC declared that restoring democratic leadership in Rivers State should remain the central issue while worker welfare improvements become the main cause. Sources indicate the Trade Union Congress of Rivers State will organize joint demonstrations with NLC members in order to maintain peaceful actions.

NLC cancels celebrations due to labour crisis deepening in Edo State

The Nigerian Labor Congress chose to decentralize May Day activities in Edo State because of persistent crises and alleged government meddlings at the Edo State Council. A letter from Congress leader Olaye Odion to Edo NLC Chairman stated that unions should individually celebrate the day at their workplace settings.

The National Labor Congress rejected a forged circular that presented itself as an “Acting State Secretary” of the Edo Council by an impostor official. According to the official position of the National Labor Congress there exists no designated title of Acting State Secretary. The sender of the circular uses false authority because “The individual behind this circular is an impostor,” Bello stated.

All workers maintain their right to avoid participating in government-organized parades according to national leadership while trade unions operate independently without external control.

Genesis of the crisis

An escalating tension occurred between the NLC and Edo State Government because officials rejected Odion’s leadership position due to his political statements regarding the past gubernatorial election.

Records indicated that when the Federal Ministry of Labour together with NLC national leaders tried to facilitate mediation the proposal received no acceptance.

The National Labor Congress decided to distribute May Day events across different districts in Edo State because officials remembered violence from Imo State celebrations in 2017, hence the reasons NLC cancels celebrations.