Members of the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have rejected the supposed imposition of leadership by the national secretariat.

It cautions that acknowledging or supporting parallel structures could cause unnecessary tension and threaten the industrial harmony Lagos State has maintained through constructive social dialogue.

During a press conference shortly after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, TUC Lagos State Council’s Public Relations Officer, Gbolahan Kabiawu, claimed that the unrest within the union in Lagos was not caused by local workers. Instead, he stated that it was orchestrated by individuals at the national secretariat who favour impunity over principles, impose decisions rather than allow elections, and prioritise personal control over constitutional procedures.

In a communiqué, the SEC confirmed that the leadership of the TUC Lagos State Council was properly and legitimately established through the Lagos State Delegates’ Conference, which followed standard procedures.

Abiodun Aladetan was elected Chairman, along with other officers, of the State Administrative Council.

The SEC asserted that the mandate still represents the genuine and lawful will of the affiliates in Lagos State.

However, the SEC claimed that the Council expressed deep concern over ongoing efforts by individuals who are neither elected by Lagos affiliates nor familiar with the state’s realities to establish a parallel leadership.

The communiqué stated that the SEC unanimously denounced these actions as undemocratic, unconstitutional, provocative and against the fundamental principles of trade unionism.

It insisted that Lagos State workers are politically aware, organised, and fully capable of choosing their leaders democratically.

The statement emphasises that no person, group, or authority, regardless of their position, office or influence, has the moral or constitutional right to impose leaders on Lagos State workers.

The SEC has therefore urged the Lagos State government, security agencies, employers, private sector organisations, civil society partners, and all relevant stakeholders to engage solely with the officially elected leadership of the TUC Lagos State Council, led by Abiodun Aladetan, on all issues related to labour relations, workers’ welfare and state matters.

It added that if any harm, harassment, unlawful arrest, attack, or any untoward incident occurs to him in connection with this matter, workers in Lagos State would hold the national leadership of the TUC fully responsible.

Responding to the allegation, TUC National President, Festus Osifo, stated: “Our process and constitution in TUC specify that the Secretary General is responsible for conducting elections in all state councils, and Lagos State is no exception. The individual presenting himself is not a TUC member. A member is someone who financially contributes to their affiliate.

Anyone not paying dues to their affiliate is not a TUC member. Those ineligible to contest elections within their affiliate cannot contest under TUC. We have duly elected leaders to head the Lagos State council, and this matter has been settled.”