By ABIODUN ABEGUNDE

The Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has frowned at what it described as an attempt to impose parallel leadership on the council.

This is contained in a communiqué issued on Friday in Lagos at the end of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, and read by Veronica Egbukichi, the Assistant Secretary of the chapter.

According to the communiqué, the SEC met in session to review developments concerning the leadership of the council and the continued attempts by certain external interests to undermine the democratic will of affiliates in the state.

It said that the SEC after its exhaustive deliberations, reaffirmed that the leadership of the state council of the TUC was duly and validly constituted through the Lagos State Delegates' Conference in line with established procedures.

The communiqué also said that the state TUC chairman, Emmanuel Aladetan and other elected officers of the SEC were elected during the conference and as such, their mandate remained the authentic and lawful expression of the collective will of affiliates in the state.

The communiqué said that the SEC noted with grave concern ongoing attempts by persons who were neither elected by Lagos affiliates nor grounded in the realities of the state to impose a parallel leadership on the Council.

According to it, the SEC unanimously condemned such actions as undemocratic, unconstitutional, provocative, and contrary to the core values upon which trade unionism is built.

“The SEC wishes to make it categorically clear that Lagos State workers are politically conscious, organised, and fully capable of determining their own leadership through democratic means.

“No individual, group, or authority regardless of status, office, or influence has the moral or constitutional right to impose leaders on the workers of Lagos state.

“The SEC therefore calls on the Lagos state government, security agencies, employers, organised private sector institutions, civil society partners, and all relevant stakeholders to continue to relate only with the duly elected leadership of the TUC Lagos state council as led by Emmanuel Aladetan in all matters concerning labour relations, workers’ welfare, and state engagement.”

The communiqué said that the SEC also warned that any attempt to recognise or encourage parallel structures would only create avoidable tension and undermine the industrial harmony that the state had consistently enjoyed through constructive social dialogue.

It added that the SEC expressed serious concern over the growing atmosphere of intimidation, threats, and undue pressure surrounding the leadership question in the state.

According to the communiqué, the council states unequivocally that should any harm, harassment, unlawful arrest, attack, or any untoward incident befall Emmanuel Aladetan, in connection with this matter, workers in Lagos state will hold the national leadership of the TUC fully responsible.

The communiqué said that the SEC however reaffirmed its commitment to peace, responsible unionism, partnership with government, and the defence of workers’ rights.

“The council remains ready to continue collaborating with all stakeholders for the progress of the state and the welfare of workers,” said.

It further said that the SEC call on all affiliates and members to remain calm, united, and steadfast in defence of democracy, constitutional order, and the mandate freely given by workers. (NAN)