Tension as Ajaero, Osifo disagree over N70,000 transport allowance

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero has accused Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo of being an absentee leader, as the row over the N70,000 transport allowance approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration deepens, Daily Post reports.

Speaking on Channels Television, Ajaero alleged that Osifo lives in the United States and only flies into Nigeria to attend meetings.

“He (Festus Osifo) is an absentee president of the TUC; he doesn’t live in Nigeria,” he said.

In a separate interview on the same station, Osifo said the NLC president could not negotiate on behalf of the TUC.

Ajaero had earlier argued that the TUC was not part of the talks that led to the allowance. The government approved it amid rising fuel prices and demands for a minimum wage review.

On Monday, the NLC president also said his union could negotiate alone, citing an International Labour Organisation principle on the most representative workers’ body.a