Human Trafficking: Oyo ASCSN backs NEC position on ex-President

The Oyo State Chapter of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has posited that the stance of the National Executive Council (NEC) to uphold the decision of the Central Working Committee over the expulsion of Ex- president of the Industrial Union, Mr Bola Audu and confirmation of Comrade Tom Etim as her substantive National President, has Constitutional backing.

According to the Oyo State Chapter Chairman of the Industrial Union, Comrade Babatunde Balogun, the National Executive Council (NEC) is a decision-making body of the Union backed by the constitution to ratify or reverse any decision of the CWC and its decisions are binding as guided by the Constitution.

Balogun said, the decision to expel Mr. Bola Audu from ASCSN is due to effort to protect the image of the union amidst allegation of human trafficking and his anti – union activities that is capable of soiling the image of the Union and the decision is also legally backed by Rule 13 (VI and VII) respectively.

Rule 13 (VI) states that` “it (CWC) shall have the power to suspend, expel or take any other disciplinary action against any member(s) of the Association for violation of the provision of the Constitution”; While Rule 13(VII) says ”The decision of the Central Working Committee shall be binding on all members including the staff of the Association until reversed by the National Executive Council,”

Issues against Bola Audu are not limited but include the following: Human trafficking and exploitation of the vulnerable as alleged by NAPTIP; invaded the National Secretariat Annex in Abuja with hoodlums and thugs with a bid to forceful take – over the Secretariat; disregarding Rule 40 of the Union Constitution by taking intra- union dispute to Court without effort to settle it first as prescribed by the Constitution.

On the issue of Contract appointment of the Secretary – General, Rule 14(Fi) states that “The Secretary – General shall be appointed by National Executive council subjected to the approval of the National Delegates Conference and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Association”

It is however in a bid to further benefit from the expertise and pool of experience of Comrade Bashir A. Lawal in the promotion and protection of the image and finances of our Union that the National Executive Council in session on Monday 16th August 2021 at Airport hotel, Lagos ratified the position of the Central Working Committee to engage the service of Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal on Contract Basis for another one year after he officially retire later this year.

To us in Oyo State, this is a welcome development considering the positively impactful reign of Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal since he became the Secretary – General of the Union in 2021. We simply cannot ask for more capable hand than Comrade Lawal at this trying time in our Union. A time where the forces of retrogression are all out to pull – down the only and strongest Industrial Union standing in Nigeria.