Tension boiled over at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority this week as what began as a workers’ protest quickly spiraled into chaos, leaving at least three people injured after a heated clash between staff members and the agency’s management.
The unrest erupted after labour union members accused the management of targeting and intimidating union leaders, particularly Mudi Olayinka Raji. Workers say the atmosphere inside the federal agency has become increasingly hostile, with many fearing that outspoken staff are being unfairly punished.
Protesters stormed the agency’s premises earlier in the week, chanting solidarity songs and demanding an end to what they described as victimisation and anti-worker policies. But tensions soon escalated, turning the demonstration into a violent confrontation that disrupted activities and heightened fears of a deeper crisis brewing within the organisation.
At the center of the controversy is the Managing Director of the Authority, George Olumoroti Olusola, who was appointed last year and has repeatedly defended his reforms. Speaking during a media briefing, the MD claimed some union leaders were resisting efforts to clean up the agency, insisting that “corruption is fighting back.” He also accused union leader Mudi Olayinka Raji of financial misconduct.
Raji, however, strongly denied the allegations, maintaining that the accusations were nothing more than an attempt to silence labour voices within the agency.
The protest gained more momentum as top labour figures, including Kwara State NLC Chairman Muritala Olayinka and NUAAE State Secretary Sharon Richard, joined the aggrieved workers in solidarity. The labour leaders condemned what they described as intimidation tactics, including controversial staff transfers allegedly carried out without financial support to frustrate union activities.
According to them, the crisis goes beyond internal disagreements and now threatens industrial peace within the agency if urgent action is not taken.
With emotions still running high and distrust deepening on both sides, many workers say they are anxiously waiting for the Federal Government to step in before the situation deteriorates further.
For now, the atmosphere at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority remains tense, with both management and labour unions standing their ground while uncertainty hangs over the future of the agency.