Regarding the acknowledged leadership of the union in the State, the Nigeria Labour Congress, or NLC, has counseled the Edo State Government to adhere to the nation’s labor regulations.
According to reports, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Benin City, the body’s Edo State Council issued the recommendation in a statement made accessible to reporters.
Governor Monday Okpebholo was urged in the statement, which was signed by Prof. Monday Igbafen, the Acting Caretaker Committee Chairman of NLC in the state, to withstand self-serving and covert pressure that would deprive the State Government of strong engagement and industrial relations with a legitimate leadership of NLC in the State.
Additionally, the union warned the public to be cautious of any unauthorized individual or organization posing as the Acting Chairman or leadership of the NLC’s Edo State Council.
It stated that Prof. Monday Igbafen, who was duly appointed by the National Central Working Committee (CWC) of the organization, is the genuine leader of the Edo Council of the NLC.
According to the statement, the clarification was required to prevent further deception intended to mislead the public and the Edo State Government about the actual status of the NLC’s leadership in the state.
The State Administrative Council (SAC) of the NLC in the State, which was controversially led by Bernard Egwakhide, is said to have been abolished by the CWC of NLC.
According to the statement, it was dissolved on August 13, 2025, due to unethical behavior, anti-union operations, and flagrant violations of the Congress’s regulations and the Constitution.
The Edo State Government was recommended by the NLC’s Edo Council to uphold the nation’s labor laws, particularly with regard to trade unions’ final say over its leadership.
According to the CWC of NLC, the Igbafen-led Caretaker Committee is the only lawful body authorized to speak on behalf of workers in the State.
It stated, “We urged the Edo State Government and the general public to disregard any representation, information, or press release that does not have the approval of the Caretaker Committee.”
However, the Edo State Government and other stakeholders were urged to cooperate with the Edo NLC Caretaker Committee, which reaffirmed its commitment to a prompt settlement of the Edo NLC situation.
Currently serving as the Benin Zonal Coordinator for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Igbafen is a philosophy professor at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.