The Nigeria Labour Congress has moved against the pro-Tinubu support group Working People United, directing its affiliate unions and officials to stay away from the organisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The directive has triggered an internal disagreement after Agnes Sessi, the Lagos State Council Chairman of the NLC, participated in WoPU activities despite the national leadership’s position. Sessi also serves as the Lagos State Coordinator of the group.

The NLC subsequently queried Sessi over her involvement, accusing her of disregarding the directive and failing to consult the congress leadership before associating with WoPU.

In a memo dated August 11, 2026, the NLC said her involvement raised concerns about her obligations as an elected officer. It accused her of acting against the congress’ rules and directives, supporting a parallel organisation and undermining the authority of the national body.

However, WoPU leader and former President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, rejected the NLC’s position.

Akporeha argued that workers have a constitutional right to belong to associations of their choice, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

He accused the NLC leadership of attempting to influence workers’ political choices and alleged that the congress was pushing workers towards the Labour Party and its preferred candidates ahead of 2027.

The dispute comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, raising questions about the boundary between the NLC’s institutional responsibilities and the political choices of individual labour officials and members.