The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has said former president , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo lacks the moral right to criticize organized labour in the country as he was a major actor in the intimidation, harassment, illegal detention and even killing of labour leaders while in office as president.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, therefore challenged Chief Obasanjo to do a self. soul searching, saying he would probably discover his culpability in policies and actions inimical to the interest and welfare of Nigerian workers and labour leaders.

In a statement in Abuja, the NLC President also told the former President that the nation’s Constitution guarantee political right for Labour leaders, saying three former leaders of the Congress rose to become governors right from office.

Ajaero was reacting to the comments of the former President in one of his latest books titled “Nigeria: Past and Future”. He said “Chief Obasanjo expressed outrage “…that a trade union leader while in office, was negotiating with a political party to be adopted as a gubernatorial candidate”.

“We would like to let him understand here with all due respect, that the right to political leadership as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is available to trade union leaders. The Supreme Court decision on this is affirmative.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress has produced three governors straight from office. Incidentally, the first happened in Chief Obasanjo’s presidency. “Chief Obasanjo is worried that “most union leaders are ineffective compared to the founding fathers’ expectations”. Which founding fathers is he talking about here? The ones the colonial masters harassed or the ones he Chief Obasanjo either banned or detained?

“If Chief Obasanjo has noticed an erosion in the powers of the trade unions, he should do a soul search. Who knows, he might find himself culpable right from arrest and detention of union leaders, killing of protesting workers, his national broadcast wherein he accused the unions “of conducting themselves like a parallel government.

“And above all, his vengeful plan and mission to proscribe the Nigeria Labour Congress. When the plot failed, he created a parallel labour centre. We recall the punishment he meted out to the Parliamentarians like Honourable Obete Obete for not playing his script “Given this historical fact, it is uncharitable of Chief Obasanjo to turn on the unions. But then we respect our elders here.

“In summary, governments should stop undermining the unions for their selfish interests.”

He said further that “We are delighted to have an ally in a personality as distinguished as our former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo rehashed our argument when he writes inter alia, “The minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep.

“It was reason we asked for N610,000, which we had described as the barest acceptable minimum complete with a breakdown. Government, and NECA for inexplicable reasons made a counter offer of N50,000 without an explanation as to how much would go to what.

“This inevitably led to a stalemate in negotiations and ultimately, a strike action which was suspended only after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over negotiations and made the offer of N70,000, a few thousands above the recommended figure by the Minimum Wage Committee. “Of course, President Tinubu did accept to pay the N250,000 which was our last threshold, but subject to raising the pump price of petrol to N2,500 or more per litre. “Torn between foistering additional hardship on the citizenry and taking the N70,000, we opted for the latter even when we knew N70,000 was inadequate. We had to minimise the pain. “There were also some “incentives” around the N70,000. For instance, the minimum wage cycle was reduced from five to three years, meaning that negotiations for a new minimum wage could begin as early as 2026. “Other incentives included CNG buses for workers; free conversion kits for workers vehicles etc. Thus, this is contrary to Chief Obasanjo’s assertion that workers “…have become victims of those meant to protect their interests”. “Of course, we do agree with Chief Obasanjo that:

“Workers need more attention than they are getting. It is their right, and they been denied it for too long”. However, it is important to point out that it is malevolent governments and predatory employers that deny workers these rights and not union leaders. “In every community, organisation or institution possibility does exist of bad eggs. It is same with trade unions, but it is no reason to cast aspersions on most unions as Chief Obasanjo has done. We do not know his motive.

“On our part here, our struggles with government have been in the public domain, right from the unhealthy use of government institutions to hamstring us: from court injunctions, to harassment by the police and other security services, and even to other hideous acts of intimidation,” he said.

Africa’s foremost industrialist and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed his plan to build in Ogun State, a multi-billion-dollar Seaport, which will be the largest in Nigeria.

He also said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum for the cement plant is being constructed at Itori.

Addressing the Ogun State Executive Council led by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during a courtesy visit, to the governor in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Dangote said he has decided to return and invest in Ogun State because of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting investors, as well as the investor-friendly climate that exists in the state.

He said Ogun State is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria, positioning itself as the manufacturing ‘bedrock’ of Nigeria.

According to him: “We had earlier abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), but because of your policies and investor-friendly environment, I want to say we are back and will work with the state government to return to Olokola, and plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country.

“I would, especially, like to commend, in a special way, my good friend and brother, Your Excellency, the governor of Ogun State, for your vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting enterprises through immense support for the private sector, which is now attracting investors.

“Our factory at Itori was pulled down twice. When we started the second time, they not only demolished the factory but also the fence, so we left. But right now, because of His Excellency, our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, we are back. When you visit the factory, you will be surprised at what we have done”.
Giving an update on the company’s ongoing projects in the state, Dangote said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum for the cement plant is being constructed at Itori, while the 12 million metric tons per annum cement plant is also located at Ibeshe.

Upon completion, Dangote assured, the total capacity of the company’s cement plants in the state would be in the neighborhood of 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the highest cement-producing state or region in Africa.
“With the contributions of other cement producers in the state, Ogun remains far ahead of other countries across Africa in terms of cement production,” he said.

Dangote Cement, according to the Dangote Group President, is the leading cement producer in Africa with a capacity of 52.0 million metric tons per annum across the continent.

He added that 70 per cent of the production is carried out in Nigeria, with the Obajana plant in Kogi State accounting for 16.25 million metric tons per annum, the largest in Africa.
He said investment in the manufacturing of the product has made the nation self-sufficient in cement, just as the country is now self-sufficient in fertilizer, with the surplus going to the export market, thus earning the nation the needed foreign exchange.

While noting that the company’s target is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in whatever it consumes, Dangote informed that the company is currently meeting domestic demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from its 650,000 barrels per day refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, as well as refined aviation fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Nigeria, he said, is a growing economy; hence the need for private companies to complement government efforts, assuring that his company would continue to demonstrate its belief in the nation and its people by making investments targeted at transforming the nation’s economy.

He appreciated traditional rulers and the people of Itori for their support and partnership, which enabled the smooth and speedy take-off of the cement plant, adding that the encouragement from the people of Yewaland had fostered smooth operations, assuring continued adherence to its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities.

Responding, Governor Abiodun described the day the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking was performed in Lagos as “the day of heartbreak for the sons and daughters of Ogun State as they watched helplessly on television,” saying it was an indication that the project had left Olokola.
He said: “I want to thank you for coming back to Ogun State and also for your belief and trust in your country, Nigeria. I want to thank you for all that you have done, the number of people you have employed, and the impact you continue to make not just in this state, but in Nigeria as a whole.
“The way you selflessly continue to promote this country all over the world, we can’t thank you enough. Your life and story continue to be an inspiring narrative for all young men. You have excelled in everywhere you touch; you have the Midas touch.
“These are indeed giant strides. For us in Ogun State, we welcome your return to the state. Today is a historic day, March 17, 2025, the same March when you did the groundbreaking in Lagos for the refinery, and you are now coming back in the month of March to Ogun State.

“Not only have you chosen to complete Itori, but you have also chosen to come back and develop the biggest port in Nigeria. For this, I thank you.”
Abiodun emphasised that with the establishment of the Itori cement plant, proposed to produce six million metric tons of cement per annum, and the existing Ibeshe plant, producing 12 million metric tons, cement production in the state would total 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the largest cement producer in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The Nigerian constitution, 1999, as amended provides that the legislative arm of government can impeach a governor if found to have committed gross misconduct.

To carry out such impeachment, below are the legal processes that the lawmakers must follow:

Step 1: A written allegation of gross misconduct against the governor must be signed by at least one-third of the members of the State House of Assembly and presented to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Step 2: Within seven days, the Speaker of the House of Assembly is expected to serve the state governor with a copy of the notice of allegation.

Step 3: The governor has a right to reply to the allegation levelled against him. The state lawmakers must be served each with the response from the governor.

Step 4: Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House, they shall resolve by motion without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated. The motion must be passed by at least a two-thirds majority of all members of the State House of Assembly.

Step 5: If the motion fails to get two-thirds, the process shall be halted. If the required votes is met, then the Speaker shall within 7 days of the passing of the motion, request the Chief Judge of the State to appoint a Panel to investigate the allegations.

Step 6: Within three months, The panel is expected to report its findings to the State House of Assembly.

During the proceedings of the Panel, the Governor shall have a right to defend himself or have the right to be defended by a legal practitioner.

Step 7: Where the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor can not be proven, the impeachment proceedings shall end right there.

If the allegations can be substantiated, the House of Assembly shall consider the report and a resolution for adoption of the report shall be moved.

Step 8: At least two-thirds of members of the House of Assembly must vote in support of the resolution to be adopted and the governor shall be impeached while his motion to swear in his deputy shall be moved immediately and adopted.