Ajaero Accuses TUC President Festus Osifo of Absentee Leadership, Claims He Resides in US

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has accused his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, of being an absentee leader, alleging that he lives in the United States and only travels to Nigeria to attend meetings before returning abroad.

Ajaero’s allegation comes amid an escalating disagreement between the two leaders over the representation of Nigerian workers and negotiations with the Federal Government on measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The dispute intensified following the Federal Government’s announcement of a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public sector workers for six months. The arrangement emerged from discussions involving government representatives and the NLC leadership in Abuja. Arise News

The TUC subsequently rejected the proposed allowance, arguing that a temporary wage award would not provide a sustainable solution to workers’ financial difficulties. The congress, in a statement signed by Osifo and its Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, called instead for an increase in workers’ salaries. Arise News

Reacting to the TUC’s position, Ajaero maintained that the organisation should negotiate its own terms with the Federal Government rather than reject an agreement it did not participate in. He argued that the NLC could not be expected to negotiate on behalf of the TUC without its involvement.

Osifo, however, defended his organisation’s position, insisting that Ajaero lacked the authority to negotiate on behalf of the entire organised labour movement. He maintained that the NLC president could negotiate for workers under the NLC but not for members represented by the TUC. Osifo • Channels Television

The TUC president also argued that the proposed transport allowance was not the product of negotiations conducted by Ajaero alone, claiming that discussions with the Federal Government had begun before the NLC president’s meeting with government officials.

Osifo said the TUC preferred a salary adjustment to another temporary wage award, citing delays in implementing the 2023 wage award as part of the reasons for rejecting the latest proposal. The Sun Nigeria +1

Ajaero’s allegation that Osifo is an absentee president introduces another point of contention into the public disagreement between the leaders. However, the available reports reviewed for this story did not independently establish Osifo’s alleged residence in the United States or verify the claim that he routinely travels to Nigeria solely for meetings.

The disagreement has drawn attention to the relationship between the NLC and the TUC, two major labour centres whose positions on workers’ welfare and negotiations with the Federal Government have significant implications for organised labour in Nigeria.