TUC protests after NEC dismisses state councils

…Lagos kicks, goes to court
By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The fallout from the state council elections, in which the national leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has been accused of attempting to impose preferred candidates on some state councils, has taken a new twist.

Since August 27, when the Lagos State Council election was botched over alleged attempts to impose leaders, there has been no peace within the council.

Similar crises are ongoing in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Enugu states.

In April a court in Cross River State delivered judgment against the national leadership of TUC over a similar matter.

However, the crisis has deepened following the decision of the TUC National Executive Council, NEC, to expel and suspend several members and officers across various state councils, a move that has already triggered legal action from the Lagos State chapter.

The crisis came to a head after an emergency NEC meeting in Lagos, where the members adopted the recommendations of a disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged acts of disobedience and misconduct by some officers and affiliates.

Expulsion, suspension

In a communiqué jointly signed by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary‑General, Nuhu Toro, the NEC announced the expulsion of 11 members from Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, and Bayelsa state councils.

Among those expelled from the Lagos State Council are Abiodun Aladetan of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Gbolahan Kabiawu of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals NUAHP, Veronica Egbukichi of ATSSSAN, and Salau Oladele of SSAUSCGOC.

Others affected by the NEC decision include members from Rivers, Enugu, and Bayelsa State councils, while 14 officers were suspended for a period of two years.

The communiqué stated that the disciplinary committee was mandated to review cases of “flagrant disobedience” of NEC resolutions and to recommend sanctions where necessary after granting fair hearing to affected individuals.

Following deliberations, the NEC directed that all expelled persons should cease immediately from acting in any capacity on behalf of the TUC, including participation in meetings, negotiations, elections, public engagements, and media appearances.

The NEC further barred the affected persons from using TUC’s name, insignia, documents, financial instruments, and other official properties, warning institutions and the public against dealing with them as representatives of the union.

The NEC maintained that discipline remained indispensable to the survival and integrity of the Congress. “The strength of TUC depends on the willingness of all officers, members and affiliates to respect its Constitution, obey the decisions of its organs and place the institution above individual considerations,” the communiqué stated.

Lagos goes to court

The Lagos State Council has rejected the action, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of due process.

Reacting to the development, Abiodun Aladetan insisted that he remained the duly elected Chairman of the TUC Lagos State Council and had not been lawfully removed from office.

According to him: “First and foremost, I wish to state categorically that I am not aware of any valid NEC decision or lawful pronouncement removing me from office as Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Lagos State Council.”

“I remain the bona fide and duly elected Chairman of the TUC Lagos State Council, having emerged through a process conducted in full compliance with the TUC Constitution.”

He said his emergence as chairman followed due process and complied fully with the provisions of the TUC Constitution.

Aladetan accused the national leadership of attempting to impose an individual who did not contest for the office of chairman but was elected as secretary during the state council election.

“What I am aware of, however, is an unconstitutional attempt by the leadership to replace me with an individual who did not contest for the office of Chairman. The said individual obtained a nomination form for the office of Secretary and was duly elected as Secretary during the election,” he stated.

He argued that the election that produced him was conducted using delegate lists and guidelines issued by the national secretariat itself.

“The election that produced me as Chairman was conducted in line with the delegate list and election guidelines issued by Nuhu Toro (Secretary‑General) on behalf of the national leadership of the TUC,” he added.

Insisting that the matter should be resolved through constitutional means, Aladetan disclosed that he had approached the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, seeking judicial interpretation and determination of the dispute.

“As a law‑abiding trade unionist, I have unwavering faith in constitutional order, due process, and the rule of law rather than the rule of individuals. Consequently, I have approached the Honourable National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, to seek judicial determination on the matter in Suit No: NICN/LA/129/2026 between Comrade Aladetan Abiodun v. Comrade (Engr.) Festus Osifo & 4 Ors,” he said.

The suit, marked NICN/LA/129/2026, is now before the court.

“The matter is now properly before a court of competent jurisdiction, and I have absolute confidence in the integrity and independence of the judicial process,” Aladetan stated.

He urged affiliates, labour leaders, members of the public, and the media to disregard claims that he had ceased to be chairman of the Lagos State Council.

“I therefore reiterate that I remain the validly elected Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress. My mandate was derived from a transparent and democratic process. In view of this, I urge members of the public, affiliate unions, comrades, and the media to disregard any contrary claims or misinformation,” he said.

Aladetan further pledged his commitment to peace and democratic principles within the labour movement.

“I remain committed to peace, due process, and the cherished tradition of internal democracy bequeathed to the Trade Union Congress by our past heroes, including Comrades Peter Esele, Quadri Olaleye, Bobboi Kaigama, and others,” he added.

Observers within the labour movement say the unfolding crisis may test the internal democratic structures of the TUC and raise wider concerns about leadership succession, disciplinary powers, and constitutional compliance within organised labour.

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