NLC Conference: Delegates Throw Chairs At One Another Over Housing Scam

NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar
The conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday, went
into a rowdy session over issues pertaining to the N2.6 billion failed
housing project of the union expected to be developed in partnership
with private property developer, Kriston Lally.

Delegates threw chairs at one another as disagreement deepened on the
failure of the NLC leadership to reveal all in the financial report
submitted to the conference in session.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had earlier,
reportedly invited the outgoing president, Abdulwahed Omar, over the
botched deal, a development confirmed by Omar himself, as he tried to
calm angry delegates.

"This morning, even the EFCC invited me to ask where is the man
(Kriston-Lally Managing Director). Anytime the security agencies get
this money, they will use their instruments to authorize refund to
this account. It is under investigation by the Directorate of State
Security Service, the EFCC and the office of the National Security
Adviser," Omar said.

A delegate from the National Union of Electricity (NUEE) had during
the meeting queried why the scam was not mentioned in the financial
report presented to the Congress in Session. But the outgoing
Treasurer, Wabba Ayuba, who is also contesting the presidency said,
"It is a separate account and not about the income and expenditure of
the NLC. The issue is in public domain. About N2.6 billion is still
saved in Access Bank. The other account is being investigated."

However, his explanation was not good enough for some delegates,
including the president of NUPENG, Igwe Achese who is also the Trustee
in the out-going executive and a signatory to NLC accounts.

Achese insisted that since NLC is a signatory to the Kriston-Lally
Account, "we have a responsibility. What I am saying is that even if
the money is safe, the total money is not safe. Some portion of it is
still intact about N2.5 billion, but the total sum of the money is not
N2.5 billion. Nigerian workers must be prudent, Nigerian workers must
have integrity."

Supporters of Ayuba, however, shouted him down and his own supporters
countered. This led to the throwing of chairs and other objects, that
made delegates, including international guests, to scamper to safety.
Omar on his part, called in the police to restore order.

The financial report was later adopted after a vote that Omar claimed
was won by the ayes.

The violent display by delegates signals the first time in the 37
years history of the NLC that such physical engagement would happen.
--InformationNigeria