The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, employers and other stakeholders against dealing with individuals or groups it described as unauthorised representatives of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.
The TUC said the leadership of ASCSN under Comrade Shehu Mohammed remained the union’s only recognised leadership, urging stakeholders to deal exclusively with that administration.
In a public circular signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, the labour centre said its position was based on ASCSN’s status as a bona fide affiliate of the Congress and on the outcome of the union’s delegates’ conference held in Lagos on August 12, 2024.
According to the TUC, the Registrar of Trade Unions in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Amos Falonipe, as well as the TUC President-General, Festus Osifo, and the Secretary-General, observed the conference.
The Congress said it had observed with concern the activities of individuals and groups allegedly parading themselves as ASCSN leaders or representatives.
It described the activities as illegal and capable of undermining the labour movement’s unity and institutional integrity.
The TUC also rejected reliance on a lower court judgment by the alleged rival group, saying the judgment was being challenged at the Court of Appeal by the Shehu Mohammed-led administration.
It said: ‘Accordingly, until the final determination of these matters by competent courts, these individuals lack any lawful authority to act, represent, or transact on behalf of ASCSN.’
The labour centre consequently advised MDAs, employers, development partners and the general public to deal strictly with the Shehu Mohammed-led leadership on all matters relating to ASCSN.
It also alerted security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as acts of illegality and impersonation, urging investigation and appropriate action.
‘For the avoidance of doubt, any individual or group outside the recognised leadership of Comrade Shehu Mohammed-led ASCSN lacks the mandate and legitimacy to act on behalf of the union.
‘Any engagement, negotiation, or transaction conducted with such unauthorised persons or groups is null, void, and of no consequence,’ the TUC said.
The Congress warned that individuals and institutions that chose to engage with or recognise the alleged unauthorised representatives would do so at their own risk.
It added that it would deploy ‘all lawful, institutional, and industrial mechanisms’ to defend its affiliate and protect what it described as the sanctity of democratic trade union processes.