Our Correspondent
A former branch chairman of Arewa Textiles PLC, Kaduna, Comrade Ibrahim Usman, has cautioned Senator Adams Oshiomhole against attacking the same labour movement that brought him to national prominence.
Reacting to Oshiomhole’s recent television interview, Comrade Usman described the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President’s comments as “disappointing and a distortion of historical facts.”
According to him, Oshiomhole’s recent outbursts against organised labour appear to be an attempt to please his political and business allies.
“It was heartbreaking watching Adams on national television tear down the same labour movement that lifted him from the factory floor to national prominence,” Usman said.
He recalled working under Oshiomhole in the Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers’ Union, where he served as Chairman of Arewa Textiles PLC.
“I know this history firsthand. Oshiomhole was the General Secretary of our union from 1982 until 2008 when his tenure as NLC President ended. We all remember when Comrade Isah Aremu took over from him, so why distort the facts?” he queried.
Usman faulted Oshiomhole’s claim that he resigned from the union in 1999 upon becoming NLC President.
“It was painful to hear him boldly lie that he resigned as General Secretary in 1999. It was normal then to hold both positions since an affiliate union post differs from a central labour position such as NLC or TUC.”
He also accused Oshiomhole of hypocrisy for condemning workers’ rights to strike.
“This is the same Adams who would once have gone overboard for the slightest provocation. Now, he demonizes the withdrawal of service—the very weapon of workers’ resistance,” Usman stated.
The former textile leader alleged that Oshiomhole’s recent stance was aimed at protecting billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, whom he claimed supported Oshiomhole’s gubernatorial campaign in Edo State.
“To kill the movement in favour of Dangote, who bankrolled his governorship election? That’s a betrayal,” he said.
Usman also reminded Oshiomhole of his role during the collapse of Nigeria’s once-vibrant textile industry.
“Was it not under his watch that over 60,000 textile workers lost their jobs and dozens of mills shut down? He witnessed and led through that collapse,” he noted.
On the ongoing controversy involving Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN, Usman said Oshiomhole’s silence over the alleged dismissal of 800 young engineers at the refinery shows where his loyalties now lie.
“Maybe that’s why the illegal dismissal of 800 young engineers at Dangote Refinery doesn’t move him. His attack on PENGASSAN is not just disappointing—it is a betrayal,” he declared.
Concluding, Usman said history would not forget Oshiomhole’s recent actions:
“History has a long memory. Adams can choose to forget where he came from, but those of us who walked that journey won’t. The labour movement gave him a name, a platform, and a voice when he needed it. Now he’s shoving away the ladder so others may not climb. Truly sad.
He may turn his back on the struggle, but the struggle will always remember.”
