By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Lower Niger River Basin Authourity (LNRBA) unit, on Monday in Ilorin formally distanced itself from a picketing exercise carried out by the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAAE).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NUAAE in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), picketed the entrance of the Authority in protest over policies of the Management.
In a Statement jointly signed by the Chairman of ASCSN-LNRBDA unit, Mr. Peter Olusegun and the Secretary, Mr. Usman Shaaba, the union distanced itself from the protest.
“The union is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), it received no communication or consultation regarding the May 11 protest and therefore had no involvement in the exercise,” said Olusegun.
The union alleged that it was not consulted, and condemned the disruption of official activities, and conduct during the protest as inconsistent with peaceful labour practices
The ASCSN chairman affirmed the constitutional right of workers and labour organizations to lawful assembly and peaceful expression of grievances.
He however stressed that such actions must be conducted responsibly and within the bounds of industrial civility, public order, and respect for the rights of others.
He alleged that staff were denied access to their workplace, normal official activities were disrupted, and innocent school children were reportedly prevented from entering educational facilities within the premises.
“Several individuals also sustained injuries while attempting to gain entry through the main gate.
“Of particular concern was an alleged attack on its LNRBDA Unit Chairman during the incident, including an attempt to assault him with a metal object amid the confusion at the entrance gate,” he said.
The union said such conduct was condemnable and undermined the principles of peaceful labour engagement
According to him, the video recordings, photographic materials, and eyewitness accounts documented acts of aggression, obstruction, intimidation, and violence during the exercise, contradicting claims that the protest was entirely peaceful and orderly.
“The union also noted that the picketing lacked a clearly articulated industrial agenda beyond chants calling for the removal of a management official and allegations of victimization, raising questions about the true objectives of the action.
“The union maintained that labour unionism should focus on collective staff welfare, constructive engagement, industrial peace, and institutional progress, rather than actions that create tension, intimidation, or avoidable confrontation,” he said.
Olusegun pointed out that the Management acknowledges genuine welfare concerns, including unresolved salary and welfare-related matters currently under engagement.
The ASCSN chairman said it remained committed to exhausting lawful dialogue, negotiation, and established industrial mechanisms before resorting to actions that could negatively affect workers, public peace, and institutional operations.
He also called on all stakeholders to embrace maturity, dialogue, mutual respect, and responsible union conduct in handling industrial matters within the authority.
“The association reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, lawful engagement, industrial harmony, staff welfare, and the collective progress of the LNRBDA,” he said.
Earlier in her reaction, the Chairperson, Women Committee of the Kwara State NLC, Mrs. Victoria Agboola, alleged that the management of the authority embarked on victimization of staff.
She also alleged that union leaders also faced demotion at work due to their stance against anti-labour policies of the Management
