Bayelsa condenms invasion of ASCSN National Secretariat

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By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Branch and Chapter Executive Committee members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria have jointly condemned the recent invasion of the national secretariat, Yaba, Lagos by suspected hoodlums led by a former national president of the Association, Mr. Innocent Bola Audu

A statement signed issued to newsmen by the Comr. Julius Laye, Bayelsa Branch Chairman, Comr. Oputu Paul Chapter Chairman and Comr. Ebipaepere Sikpi, State Secretary said, “available reports show that the aggrieved former president, Mr. Innocent Bola Audu who was asked to step aside by the National Executive Council of the Association in November 2020 to clear his name in court for allegations against him by NAPTIP for trafficking in human persons etc, and to absolve the Association of complicity, refused to step aside but forcefully invaded the national secretariat annex in Abuja.

“In March 2022, the NEC-in-session was forced to expel the former national president for anti union activities and refusal to step aside pending the outcome of the court cases instituted against him by NAPTIP and a suit he filed against the Association for asking him to step aside.

“Not satisfied, Bola Audu Innocent after recruiting other expelled members and some former staff of the Association hired hoodlums who in company of him went to invade the national secretariat of the Association in Lagos for the second time and physically assaulted workers on duty on Monday 22nd August 2022.

“Consequently, we believe that no right thinking person can take laws into his/her hands to upturn the decision taken by the National Executive Council of an Association without recourse to the provisions of the laws of the federation especially when the matter is still in court.

“It is therefore our appeal to the relevant security agencies to act swiftly in calling the said hoodlums led by Comr. Innocent Bola Audu to order and allow the smooth operations of the National Secretariat of the Association and all its offices across the nation.

” It is noteworthy that at an Emergency meeting of the South South zonal leaders of the Association comprising of Central Working Committee members, Branch Chairmen, Chapter Chairmen and State Secretaries within the South South region has passed a vote of confidence on the incumbent national leadership of the Association led by Comr. Tommy Etim Okon as National President and Comr. Bashir Ahmed Lawal as Secretary General.

“All members of the zonal forum are pleased with the Tommy Okon’s led administration as several achievements have been recorded especially with the recent courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari where vital issues of concern to the entire workers in Nigeria were presented.”