May Day: Ngige Says NLC President Is Uncivilised, Liar

Chris Ngige has accused the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC of barefaced lies further deteriorating the relationship between organized labour and the Federal Government.

He spoke in reaction to claims by Ayuba Wabba, NLC president that Ngige deliberately absented himself from the May Day celebrations because of the faceoff between him and the NLC over the chairmanship of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF. Ngige has for more than one year blocked the inauguration of veteran labour leader, Frank Kokori as chairman of the board of the NSITF.

It was feared that on account of the issue and other lingering issues that workers had planned to boo Ngige at the May Day celebrations in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ngige was absent at the celebrations and was represented by the minister of state, Stephen Ocheni at the event that was also graced by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Wabba had in his address taunted Ngige for avoiding the celebrations because of the differences between him and labour on account of the issues surrounding the NSITF.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, Ngige said: “Contrary to uncivilized attitude and barefaced lies contained in the address of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, I wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige was absent at Wednesday’s Worker’s Day rally for reasons of ill health.

“The Minister has been down with flu since last Sunday. He met his doctors last Monday and has since been at home recuperating.

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG