By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Lagos State Council has accused its national leadership of attempting to impose a parallel executive on the state council, insisting that its current leadership emerged through a valid electoral process and remains the legitimate authority representing workers in Lagos.
In a communique issued after its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, the council reaffirmed that its leadership, led by Comrade Abiodun Aladetan, was “duly and validly constituted through the Lagos State delegates’ conference conducted in line with established procedures,” adding that the mandate “remains the authentic and lawful expression of the collective will of affiliates in Lagos State.”
The council said it was concerned about what it described as ongoing attempts by “persons who are neither elected by Lagos affiliates nor grounded in the realities of the state to impose a parallel leadership,” which it condemned as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, provocative, and contrary to the core values upon which trade unionism is built.”
TUC Lagos PRO, Kabiawu Gbolahan at a press briefing, expatiated on the dispute, alleging that the crisis was driven by actions at the national secretariat rather than by workers in the state. According to him, “The crisis in Lagos was not created by workers in Lagos. It was manufactured by those at the national secretariat who have chosen impunity over principle, imposition over election, and personal control over constitutional order.”
He maintained that a delegates’ conference held in Yaba followed due process, with participation from multiple affiliates, security presence, and observation by government representatives. “Votes were cast. Results were declared. A full executive council emerged. Comrade Abiodun Aladetan was duly elected as the chairman. That was democracy in action,” Gbolahan said.
He however, alleged that a separate gathering produced a rival leadership outside the agreed framework. “It was not a conference. It was a coronation. It was not democracy. It was a script.”
The Lagos council warned that recognising any rival leadership could undermine labour relations in the state. It called on the , employers, and other stakeholders to continue to engage only with the elected executive “in all matters concerning labour relations, workers’ welfare, and state engagement.”
It further cautioned that endorsing parallel structures could “create avoidable tension and undermine the industrial harmony that Lagos State has consistently enjoyed through constructive social dialogue.”
The council also raised concerns over what it described as intimidation linked to the dispute, stating that “should any harm, harassment, unlawful arrest, attack, or any untoward incident befall Comrade Aladetan Abiodun Emmanuel in connection with this matter, workers in Lagos State will hold the national leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria fully responsible.”
Beyond Lagos, the council said the dispute could have wider implications for union governance across the country. It warned that allowing the situation to stand would set a precedent where “any election can be overturned just by a phone call” and where “delegate list can be rewritten to suit favored candidates.”
The council maintained that its position was not in opposition to the national body but a defence of established rules. “We are not enemies of the Congress. We are defenders of its constitution,” the statement said, urging the national leadership to “respect the outcome of the valid legacy delegate conference” and withdraw recognition from any parallel structure.
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