Puzzlingly, for about five months now, the two factions of the Association of Senior Civil Servants’ of Nigeria (ASCSN)have separately laid claims of Delta State Government recognition raising questions as to which is the legitimate wing.
One faction led by Comrade Nwachukwy Bolum while the other led by Mr. Emmanuel Egodo. Both wings have fully-fledged management structures.
The faction chaired by Mr. Emmanuel Egodo has forcefully occupied the secretariat. They were dissatisfied with the outcome of the election of the ASCSN, Delta State branch on the 12th October, 2021, which saw Comrade Bolum cruised to victory to become the Chairman for the next four years.
Comrade Bolum group commands an impressive membership base operating within the ambient and full recognition of the national secretariat of the Association, head by National President, Tommy Etim Okon identifying with it legitimacy.
Comrade Bolum led executive enjoys the recognition by the national body and seats in the meetings of National Executive Council, NEC, Delegates Conferences etc, as gazetted.
Having consulted the national secretariat, who wrote several memos and other correspondences to the Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the State government has come heavily on the Mr. Emmanuel Egodo led faction and vowed to invoked appropriate sanction in line with Public Servants rules and regulation.
The State Head of Service in a memo dated 22 April 2022 that was reviewed by Time Africa said the State government intervention came over raising concerns and breakdown of law and order.
Officially confirming the Comrade Bolum led faction at legitimate, the Directorate said the State government waded into the matter and south and obtained the opinion of the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Delta State, alongside the extant rules and constitution of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria guiding delegates conference/election.
The memo, titled: Re: 5th Quadrial Delegate Conference held on 12th October 2021 at Asaba reads in parts:
“Arising from the controversy generated from the outcome of the election of the ASCSN, Delta State branch on the 12th October, 2021, by which a group of members of the same association became dissatisfied over the outcome of the election for which. There was near breakdown of law and order in the Union, the Government, through this office, waded into the matter and south and obtained the opinion of the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Delta State, alongside the extant rules and constitution of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria guiding delegates conference/election.
“The office of the Head of Service in furtherance of peacefully resolving the issues, which includes the occupation of the Union Secretariat by some persons and alleged destruction of some union properties, held several meetings. This effort proved futile as the Egodo led faction insisted on legal action in the courts.
“Consequent on the above and relying on legal advice as provided by the Ministry of Justice, recognition is accorded to the State Executive as reflected in the Association of Senior Civil Serverants’ letter of 23rd October, 2021 viz: Comrade Martin N. Bolum, Chairman; Comrade Aweka Avwenaghagha, Vice Chairman; Comrade Mafiana Patricia, Vice Chairman; Comrade Egwriase Akpos, Treasurer; Comrade Orugboh Arubi, Internal Auditor; Comrade Igho Julius, Ex-officio member; Comrade Ukey Efetobo, Ex-officio member; Comrade Churchill Egbregba, ex officio member; Comrade Diden Ereomola, ex officio member and Comrade Kebodi Scholastica Ex-officio member.
“Furthermore, information reaching this office indicates that a faction has been illegally occupying the Union’s Secretariat. If that is the case, arising from paragraph 3 above, the recognized union executive should initiate necessary steps to take possession of the union secretariat and ensure that those illegally occupying the premises vacate it.
“All concerned should be mindful that first and foremost they are Public Servants on which platform they became union members/executives. As such, any action that is contrary to the above directive will be regarded as disobedience to lawful order and would attract appropriate sanction in line with Public Servants rules and regulation.
“By endorsement of this letter, the Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Police, Department of Security Services, Army Brigade Command, Mr Charles Isiayei –ufc Permanent Secretary/Accountant Generation of Delta State, Mr. Emmanuel Egodo – ufs Permanent Secretary, Political Security, Delta State and Mr. Promise Obi –ufs Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Delta are hereby informed of the foregoing”.