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NLC Gives Oborevwori 2-Week Ultimatum Over Ban On Motorcycle Union, Threatens Showdown In Delta
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, a final two-week ultimatum to end the alleged harassment and ban on the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) in the state.
In a letter dated 28th October, 2026, and signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the Congress warned that if the state government fails to act, it may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in Delta State.
The NLC said it had earlier written to the Governor on 30th September 2025 and 20th January 2026 on the same matter, but the situation has further degenerated.
According to the Congress, MOUN has not only been purportedly banned by a ‘decree’ from the Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), but its members have also been harassed, hounded, and thrown into detention on the orders of the SSG.
The NLC alleged that the witch-hunt against members of MOUN stems from the SSG’s manifest interest in, and support for a non-trade union organisation, the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA).
“We have written to complain that the Delta State Government, through the Secretary to the State Government, has directly violated and breached Nigeria’s Constitution, which vests the power of workers’ representation in trade unions,” the letter stated.
The Congress said the SSG, through his proxies, maintains that MOUN is an illegal union whose aim is to divert revenue from the Delta State Government by selling illegal tickets to motorcycle operators, thereby threatening public peace. He has also prosecuted the union and its members in various Delta State courts.
The NLC dismissed the claim, insisting that MOUN is a registered trade union affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“MOUN, not COMTOA, has the legal backing to organise motorcycle operators and collect dues from them as prescribed in Section 12 of the Trade Union Act. As far as labour law is concerned in Nigeria, COMTOA is an alien body and a meddlesome interloper,” Ajaero said.
The Congress expressed surprise that the body is receiving the backing of high-ranking officials of the Delta State Government, describing it as completely unacceptable and a recipe for industrial breakdown.
To arrest the deterioration, the NLC urged the Governor to rein in the illegal activities of a few high-ranking officials in his government whose actions are casting him in a very poor light.
“Having exercised considerable patience for more than three years on this matter, we are constrained to issue a final two-week ultimatum for the Delta State Government to end the harassment of MOUN and motorcycle operators organised by the union. If you fail to do the needful, the Congress may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in Delta State,” the letter warned.
The letter was copied to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Service, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Delta State, the President of MOUN, the Chairperson, NLC Delta State Council, and Comrade Julius Bobi, Deputy National President of MOUN.
