Tension is mounting within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter of Working People United (WoPU), a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu support group, following a directive by the national leadership of the Congress asking its affiliate unions not to attend the event.
The development has also triggered a formal query to the Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, Agnes Sessi, over her involvement in the inauguration.
The national leadership accused her of promoting or supporting an organisation it described as a “parallel” workers’ organisation and of acting contrary to the rules and directives of the Congress.
Despite the directive, the inauguration of WoPU’s Lagos chapter held with many affiliates in attendance, with WoPU insisting that workers and other Nigerians have a constitutional right to freely associate with organisations of their choice.
WoPU has also rejected the NLC’s position as an attempt to restrict workers’ political choices.
In a circular dated August 11, 2026 and addressed to presidents and general secretaries of all affiliate unions, the NLC instructed its affiliates under the heading, “DO NOT HONOUR THIS INVITATION,” to stay away from the inauguration until written clearance was obtained from the national leadership.
The circular, signed by Benson Upah for the General Secretary, stated that the Congress had been alerted to a notice signed by Sessi inviting members to the inauguration of WoPU, which it said was “neither an affiliate of the Congress nor recognised by the leadership of the Congress.”
The NLC further complained that Sessi had not consulted the leadership before becoming involved in the activities of the organisation.
According to the circular, the Congress was concerned about “any attempt to promote a parallel workers’ organisation, regardless of the circumstances, particularly where such activities could undermine the structures and authority of the Congress or lay the foundation for its fragmentation.”
The NLC said such conduct constituted “an affront to the leadership of Congress” and raised questions about Sessi’s oath of office and compliance with the established rules and regulations of the organisation.
The Congress consequently directed affiliate unions not to honour the invitation or participate in the inauguration until an express written clearance was obtained from the national leadership.
In a separate internal memorandum dated August 11 and addressed to Sessi, the DGS/HOD, Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, formally queried the Lagos State Council chairperson over her role in the planned inauguration.
The memo stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a notice signed by you concerning the inauguration of an organisation known as Working People United (WoPU), a workers’ organisation that is not known to the Congress, scheduled to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
“The organisation is neither an affiliate of the Congress nor known to the Congress, whose leadership you represent in Lagos State.”
The NLC also accused Sessi of failing to inform or consult the Congress leadership regarding the organisation.
“Your involvement in the activities of the organisation appears to be in violation of the oath of office you took as Chairperson of the Lagos State Council and raises serious concerns regarding your obligations to the Congress,” the memo stated.
Sessi was subsequently asked to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against her for allegedly “betraying the oath of office,” “acting in contravention of the established rules, regulations and directives of the Congress,” “promoting or supporting a parallel organisation to the Congress,” and “undermining the authority and integrity of the Congress.”
The query gave her 24 hours to respond.
Reacting to the NLC directive, WoPU accused the Congress of attempting to interfere with the constitutional rights of Nigerian workers to freedom of association.
In a statement, the group said it “strongly condemns” the directive instructing affiliate unions to boycott the inauguration of its Lagos State chapter.
WoPU said the directive was an affront to the rights of Nigerian workers and accused some individuals within the NLC hierarchy of becoming involved in partisan politics.
The organisation stated: “WoPU rejects any attempt to dictate the political choices or associations of Nigerian workers.”
It based its position principally on Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association.
Quoting the Constitution, WoPU said: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”
The group argued that its activities were protected by law and that workers should not be required to obtain permission from labour leaders before joining or supporting an organisation of their choice.
“Working People United is a duly registered support group recognised under Nigerian law since October 2025.
“There is no provision of the NLC Constitution, to the best of our knowledge, that requires a political support organisation to obtain approval from individuals within the NLC hierarchy before it can operate.
“WoPU therefore rejects any suggestion that Nigerian workers must seek permission from a few labour leaders before exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to associate with an organisation of their choice.”
The organisation described itself as “a convergence of like-minded Nigerians drawn from different professions, trades and sectors,” including artisans, market men and women, and workers in the formal and informal sectors.
It said its members had voluntarily chosen to participate in politics and support the re-election of President Tinubu and other candidates it considers progressive in the 2027 elections.
“This choice is an exercise of individual political and associational rights and should not be subjected to coercion or intimidation,” WoPU stated.
The pro-Tinubu group also accused some individuals within the NLC of attempting to influence workers to support the Labour Party or another preferred political platform.
“The NLC is a federation of individual unions, each with its own constitutional structures, organs and decision-making processes,” WoPU said. “No individual within the NLC should arrogate to himself or herself powers that belong to the appropriate organs of the Congress or its affiliate unions.
“It is particularly disturbing that exercising a fundamental constitutional right to belong to an association of one’s choice could be portrayed as an offence for which permission must first be obtained from a few labour leaders. Such a position is unacceptable in a democratic society”, the group said.
WoPU cited Section 40 of the Constitution, ILO Convention No. 87 on freedom of association, ILO Convention No. 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining, and applicable Nigerian labour legislation in support of its position.
It also referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in INEC & AGF v. Musa & Ors., arguing that freedom of association enjoys broad constitutional protection.
WoPU maintained that no individual or organisation should claim a monopoly over the political choices of Nigerian workers.
“Workers are entitled to associate, participate in political activities and support candidates or organisations of their choice, subject to Nigerian law,” the group stated.
‘WoPU is not a parallel organisation’
Responding directly to one of the NLC’s major concerns, WoPU denied that it was established to compete with or undermine the labour movement.
“WoPU is not a parallel organisation to the NLC, nor does it seek to replace, undermine or compete with the NLC or any other labour organisation. Rather, WoPU provides a platform through which working people from different sectors can express their views, participate in politics and advocate for their interests”, the statement said.
The group said it remained committed to supporting President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, including his 2027 re-election bid, while also supporting other candidates it considers progressive.
WoPU called on the NLC to immediately withdraw the boycott directive and respect what it described as workers’ constitutional right to associate with lawful organisations of their choice.
It also urged the Congress to uphold Section 40 of the Constitution, respect Nigeria’s obligations under ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, and refrain from intimidation or coercion of workers and affiliate unions over their political and associational choices.
The group further demanded an apology from the NLC over what it described as the directive and any intimidation or adverse treatment arising from it.
WoPU called on Nigerian workers to “exercise their constitutional rights to associate freely with organisations of their choice,” reject intimidation and coercion in political matters, and participate actively in the democratic process.
It also called on workers to support the Renewed Hope Agenda and its advocacy for the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.
