The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has expelled 11 officers and members across four state councils over what it described as “flagrant disobedience” to resolutions and decisions of its National Executive Council (NEC).

Those expelled included officials from Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Bayelsa state councils, among them were Comrade Abiodun Aladetan of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Gbolahan Kabiawu of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Comrade Ben Asogwa also of NUAHP.

Others affected were Comrade Veronica Egbukichi, Comrade Salau Oladele, Comrade Josiah Udoka, Comrade Emmanuel Onumbu, Comrade June Danangogo, Comrade Simeon Ejikemen Akaeme, Comrade Igbokwe Joe Igbokwe and Comrade Fefegha Muneneyi Edwin.

The labour centre also announced the suspension of 14 officers from Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa states for two years, saying they would not be allowed to function in any official capacity during the suspension period.

Those suspended include Comrade Martins Adesanoye, Comrade Idoka John, Comrade Nnamdi Cosmos, Jacob Simon Idakwo, Barrister Gita Matthew Peremobowei, Dr Julius Laye and several others.

The Congress also suspended 14 other officers for two years.

TUC, in a communiqué jointly signed by its President General, Festus Osifo, and the Secretary General, Nuhu Toro and issued at the end of an emergency NEC meeting held in Lagos, explained that the disciplinary measures followed the report of a committee earlier constituted to investigate alleged acts of misconduct within the organisation by the affected unionists.

According to the communiqué, the disciplinary committee was mandated to review cases involving members, officers and affiliates accused of disregarding NEC resolutions, while also giving affected persons a fair hearing in line with the constitution of the congress.

The Congress declared that the expelled members had ceased to function in any capacity within the organisation and were barred from representing the TUC or using any of its official materials, insignia or platforms.

The communique partly reads: “They are barred from representing, acting for, speaking on behalf of, or holding themselves out as officers, members or representatives of TUC at any meeting, election, negotiation, engagement, public function, media appearance or official assignment.”

The congress further warned government agencies, employers, labour centres, banks, security agencies and the public against recognising or dealing with the expelled persons as representatives of the TUC.

“Any action, representation, decision, correspondence, election, meeting or engagement undertaken by them in the name of TUC after the effective date of this resolution shall be treated as null, void, unauthorised and of no effect whatsoever.”

While also stating that the 14 officers suspended would not be allowed to function in any official capacity during the two-year suspension period, the TUC stressed that discipline remained critical to the survival and unity of the organisation, warning against actions capable of undermining its constitutional authority.

“The strength of TUC depends on the willingness of all officers, members and affiliates to respect its Constitution, obey the decisions of its organs and place the institution above individual considerations,” the congress added.