Civil servants association reaffirms Mohammed as national president
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has reaffirmed Shehu Mohammed as its National President, dismissing any speculation about his leadership.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the ASCSN Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, emphasised that Mohammed was duly elected as National President on August 12, 2024, alongside other members of the Central Working Committee during the union’s 5th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
He clarified that Mohammed’s election followed the expiration of the tenure of the former CWC members on July 29, 2024.
The previous leadership, including former National President, Innocent Bola-Audu, had been elected during the 4th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, on July 29, 2020.
According to the statement, the union recalled that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria had ruled on July 9, 2024, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/214/2022 that Bola-Audu should complete his tenure by July 29, 2024, and be compensated with N3m for legal expenses.
It noted that Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju O., in the ruling, ordered Bola-Audu’s reinstatement as National President from April 2023 until the completion of his tenure in July 2024.
It disclosed that the court also awarded him compensation of N3m, which was to be paid jointly by the defendants.
The ASCSN leadership stated that in compliance with the NICN ruling and as part of an out-of-court settlement, the union was reviewing the issue of compensation to Bola-Audu in accordance with the court’s decision.
“We want to assure our members that as a law-abiding trade union, we are committed to operating within the ambits of our constitution and the labour laws of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The union urged its members to remain steadfast and continue to support the leadership of Shehu Mohammed, Joshua Apebo, and other members of the CWC.
It also called on members to disregard any misinformation from detractors seeking to destabilise the association.
ASCSN reiterated that its leadership remains focused on protecting the rights and welfare of senior civil servants across the country.
