Civil society and faith-based organisations have welcomed Eugene Manji as the new National President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

The groups expressed expectations that the new leadership will intensify the campaign for accessible and affordable public services.

Manji was elected alongside other national officers at the union’s 7th National Delegates Conference held in Kano on September 23 and 24, 2026.

The civil society groups described the outcome as reflecting the demand for purposeful leadership within the union, while pledging to collaborate with the new executive to oppose the privatisation of essential public utilities and defend workers’ and citizens’ access to quality public services.

The Registrar of Trade Unions, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment, supervised the election.

Among those elected with Manji are the two National Deputy Presidents, Uzu Fidelis and Ibrahim Kirfi; National Vice Presidents for the various zones, including Umaja Aloysius, Adoga Abdullahi, Adebayo Adedoyin, Joman Bernard, Bashir Chibuzo, Samaila Abdullahi and Moses Helda.

Also elected were Farotimi Olusoji as National Treasurer, Rabiu Abdulrahman as National Secretary and Finance, and Rashila Alkali and Nnamachi Anthony as National Auditors.

Executive Director of Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), Sani Baba, said the election had generated optimism among civil society organisations because of Manji’s previous involvement in campaigns concerning public service delivery.

“We are elated about the election outcomes. Comrade Manji has been in the trenches for years challenging impunity in the delivery of public services,” Baba said.

He said the new leadership would strengthen campaigns against the privatisation of water and other public utilities while maintaining constructive relations between the union and civil society.

Similarly, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, described Manji’s election as significant, citing his previous campaign against water privatisation in Plateau State, where he served as AUPCTRE state chairman.

Jakpor said the new leadership emerged at a time when accountability and affordable access to public services were increasingly subject to profit-driven considerations, with consequences for low-income communities.

Coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network Africa, Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, said the organisation expected the new AUPCTRE leadership to continue challenging policies that turn essential services into profit-oriented commodities.

Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Chima Williams, also congratulated the union on what he described as a rancour-free election, saying the new leadership was expected to promote transparent, efficient and equitable public services.

The Executive Director of Child Health Organisation, Lady Vicky Onyekuru, said the new leadership had assumed office at a critical period, particularly for vulnerable groups.

She said Manji’s previous advocacy for people-centred public services gave grounds to expect that the new administration would continue to oppose policies that disproportionately affect women and other vulnerable groups.

Representatives of Public Services International (PSI), including Regional Secretary Daniel Oberko and Project Coordinator Badru Moradeke, attended the conference.

The new leadership takes over at a time when the future ownership and management of public utilities, including water services, remain subjects of policy and public debate, with labour and civil society groups continuing to advocate for public accountability, affordability and universal access.