Textile Union Workers in Edo NLC Slam Indefinite Suspension on Executives

After its state chairman resigned from the state NLC Caretaker Committee, which is chaired by Prof. Lewis Monday Igbafen, the Edo State chapter of the National Union of Textile and Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), led by Comrade Ochei Mike Onyebuchi, has been placed on indefinite leave.

After the zonal exco meeting in Benin City, the Union’s Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Emeka Nkwoala, informed reporters of the suspension and said the Oche-led exco was fired for defaming the union.

After the former exco was dissolved due to various reasons, Comrade Nkwoala remembered that Comrade Joe Ajaero, the national president of the NLC, had sought NUTGTWN to propose a member to join the caretaker committee, which was led by Prof. Monday Igbafen and was tasked with guiding the union’s operations.

Comrade Oche, who was properly consulted prior to nomination, joyfully accepted membership in the five-member committee and was sworn in, according to the deputy general secretary. The union was, however, mortified when word leaked out last weekend about Ochei’s abrupt resignation.

He stated: “On Monday, September 15, 2025, we learned of his resignation through social media, claiming that he was forced to accept the offer. He resigned without notifying the union. Given that he was contacted and advised on the extent of the task prior to his candidacy, which he voluntarily accepted, he should have informed the union of his desire to quit.

He claimed that the national organization of NUTGTWN, the affiliate union of former NLC president Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who was a staunch unionist in his prime, believed Comrade Ochei brought the union into disrepute because, despite being duly consulted and agreeing to serve on the committee before its inauguration, he brought it into disrepute.

He said, “The Edo State members of NUTGTWN pleaded during the meeting that they will write an apology letter to the national body and beg not to be dissolved but instead accepted to be suspended till further notice.”

According to Comrade Nkwoala, the suspended state chairman acknowledged that he resigned from the committee because of pressure and a strong conviction that the committee was hostile to the Edo State Government, but he denied giving an interview to any media outlet during the meeting.

Using the media, he argued that Ochei and his exco’s actions had repercussions because they obtained his consent before to his nomination but neglected to contact the union before his resignation.

“He [Comrade Ochei] has brought the union to disrepute,” Comrade Nkwoala underlined. During its Zoom meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, the National Administrative Council decided to abolish the union’s Edo State branch.

As of right now, our union in Edo has suspended the state executive led by Ochei Mike Onyebuchi till further notice. Together with the other state chairmen of our zone in Benin City, we came to that conclusion.

This conclusion coincides with the union’s national Administrative Council’s resolution. They are therefore unable to represent the union in Edo or Nigeria in any manner.