The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Lagos State Council has accused its national leadership of attempting to impose a parallel executive, 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 expressed concern over 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, elaborated on the dispute, alleging that the crisis was driven by actions at the national secretariat rather than workers in the state. “The crisis in Lagos was not created by workers here. 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 said.
He maintained that the 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 chairman. That was democracy in action,” Gbolahan said.
He 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 recognizing any rival leadership could undermine labor relations in the state. It called on employers and other stakeholders to continue engaging only with the elected executive “in all matters concerning labor 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 intimidation linked to the dispute, stating that “should any harm, harassment, unlawful arrest, attack, or 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 nationwide. 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 lists can be rewritten to suit favored candidates.”
The council emphasized that its position is not in opposition to the national body but a defense 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.
