The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), employers, development partners and the public against dealing with individuals or groups it described as unauthorised representatives of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

The Congress said the ASCSN leadership under Shehu Mohammed remained the only leadership recognised by TUC, citing the outcome of the union’s delegates conference held in Lagos on August 12, 2024.

In a public circular signed by the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the Congress said the conference was duly convened and observed by 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.

TUC said its position was based on ASCSN’s status as an affiliate of Congress and the established democratic and statutory processes governing the trade union movement.

The Congress, however, raised concerns over what it described as the activities of “unauthorised individuals and groups” allegedly presenting themselves as leaders or representatives of ASCSN.

According to TUC, such activities could undermine the unity and institutional integrity of the labour movement and potentially affect industrial peace.

The Congress also rejected reliance on a lower court judgment by those challenging the Shehu Mohammed-led administration, saying the judgment is currently under appeal before the Court of Appeal.

It therefore maintained that the rival individuals or groups lacked the authority to represent or transact business on behalf of ASCSN pending the determination of the matter by the competent courts.

“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,” the circular stated.

TUC consequently directed stakeholders dealing with ASCSN-related matters to engage exclusively with the Shehu Mohammed-led leadership.

It also called on security and law-enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to investigate what it described as acts of impersonation and illegality and take appropriate action.

The Congress further warned that engagements, negotiations or transactions conducted with persons it considers unauthorised would have no validity, adding that parties choosing to recognise such individuals would do so at their own risk.

TUC said it would use “all lawful, institutional and industrial mechanisms” available to defend its affiliate and uphold what it described as the sanctity of democratic trade union processes.