By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Bayelsa State Council, has waded into the lingering crisis rocking the state chapter of Maritime Workers Union of of Nigeria, MWUN.

It was gathered that following the expiration of the tenure of the current state executives of the MWUN, the process of conducting elections has been faulted by some aggrieved members of the union as not been transparent enough, accusing the outgone chairman of attempts to sideline critical stakeholders and members of the union.

Chairman of NLC Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Simon Barnabas speaking to newsmen shortly after a meeting with stakeholders and various contending groups within the union, urged them to sheathe their swords and embrace peace while they wait for further directives from their national leadership on the elections.

He said: “The outgoing MWUN state chairman informed me and pleaded with me to enabled them venue to conduct their state council elections here at the NLC state secretariat which I obliged them since the NLC House belongs to all of us, but unfortunately this morning as I arrived the office I saw members of the maritime union agitating.

“In their agitations they expressed their displeasure over their chairman’s inability to communicate date of election timely and expressed their concern for the NLC leadership to intervene.

“Having enquire from them I saw the need to call on the interim maritime chairman which I did and on arrival I ensured that both parties with my state council members which were present to see how we can broker peace.

“The long and short of the matter is that since the national leadership are yet to arrive Bayelsa State and the mandate of the election was given by them, there is nothing we can do

“Having told them how it is important to make peace , we decided to step down every action waiting for the arrival of their national officers. I have pleaded with the both patties to sheathe their swords so that we can give peace a chance.

“There are two ways we can go about it, if harmonization cannot fly, then let there be a level playing ground for all aspirants to go into the field for election but I think that will be formally determined on the arrival of the national officers of MWUN . So anything that happens anywhere is not known to NLC Bayelsa State council.”

In his remark, the Treasurer of Apoi/Bassan/Koluama branch of the MWUN, Dr David Sese, commended the state leadership of the NLC for their intervention, stressing that all parties have resolved to abide by the agreement.

He however urged the national leadership of the MWUN to adhere strictly to the constitution of the union which is supreme and sanction anybody found wanting irrespective of their position, warning that any attempt to subvert the constitution of the union in favour or against any aspirant would be vehemently rejected.