Why Amosun sacked me, by Ogun NLC chairman

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By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)

NIGERIA: THE Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Akeem Ambali, who was sacked by the government of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has explained why he was relieved of his job.

Ambali stated on Monday that his struggle for the implementation of payment of workers deductions and his uncompromising posture at the determent of the workers led to his sack by Amosun.

According to the NLC chairman, who spoke with journalists to herald the 2017 Workers Day, the government also used fake recordings he described as “Abacha video clip” to nail him.

While claiming that he remains the bona fide NLC chairman in spite of his purported sack, Ambali stressed that the government had no power to remove him as the chairman of the union.

He stated that by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) law, employee has rights to decide who lead the NLC.

“NLC is a conglomerate of industrial union,” Ambali said, adding: “It you are not on the employment of state, it does not affect leading NLC.”

“With ILO convention, employer has no right to decide who lead NLC, and by ILO convention I have right to complete my term,” he stated.

Ambali maintained that no employer had monopoly of power to remove labour leaders.

“My removal was vindictive,” he said while stressing that the government played ‘Abacha’ video to sack me.

Ambali denied soiling his hand with government, but said that such insinuation was a ploy to discredit him.

“If I have any secret with government or soil my hands, they should come out and say it,” he said, adding: “I have not taken money from Ogun State Government, as being insinuated in some quarters.  Government is not comfortable with me because I didn’t compromise.”

The NLC chairman stressed that he would not relent in his determined efforts in ensuring the welfare of workers in spite of all odds.

He urged the government to pay the seven months union deductions of the workers and the 13 months cooperative deductions being owed.

“As NLC chairman I remain in office.  I thank God we are still in charge; we are still loved by the people.  We are not part of political problems of Ogun State, and we don’t want to be.  We believe God will touch the heart of the Governor,” he said.

Ambali, who stressed that he was a victim of vendetta, said that he heard the news of his sack on radio.

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