FG withdraws AAEUN certificate as trade union

The Federal Government has withdrew the certificate of registration issued to Agricultural and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), as a registered trade union operating in the country.

This is in compliance with a court order APP.NO.CA/L/92/10 Suit No. FHC/L/CS/311/2009, in respect of the issuance of a new certificate in the name of Agricultural and Allied Union of Nigeria (AAEUN).

In a letter written by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and addressed to the General Secretary of AAWUN, the ministry declined recognition of both AAEUN and AAWUN as a result of the court judgement.

The letter signed by the Director, Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Mrs O. U. Akpabio on behalf of the minister read: “I am directed to refer to the above mentioned Suit and Appeal Court Judgment involving your union and to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, pursuant to its statutory mandate of ensuring a peaceful industrial relations climate, and especially in compliance with the consent judgement as referred to above has decided as follows;

“The Ministry forthwith declines recognition of both the Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) and the Agriculture and Allied Workers Union (AAWUN) factions as unions in the Agriculture Sector.

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“Consequent upon (i) above, the Ministry hereby withdraws the Certificate of Registration Reg.No. 0112 issued to Agricultural & Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN).

“In view of the above, both factions (AAEUN & AAWUN) are hereby directed to meet and come up with a registrable name in compliance with Section 27 of the Trade Unions Act CAP.T14 (LFN) 2004. Note, however, that all parties to the Terms of Settlement which formed the basis of the Consent Judgment must be part of the process as provided by Section 27 of the Trade Unions Act.” The minister urged the unions to treat as urgent.

Following the receipt of the letter from the ministry, AAWUN, in a swift reaction wrote the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and the General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson, to intimate the NLC and warned against the danger of allowing decertified and defunct union to participate in the concluded 12th National Delegates’ Conference of the NLC. The union is an affiliate of the NLC.

The letter addressed to the President and General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress and signed by General Secretary, Comrade Olaniyan S. A read “I am directed to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has decline recognition of Agricultural and Allied Employee Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) and has withdrawn AAEUN certificate of registration (Reg No: 0112) in compliance with court orders (APP.NO. CA/L/92/10 and FHC/L/CS/31 1/2009) towards the issuance of a new certificate in the name “Agriculrural and Allied Union of Nigeria (AAUN).

“We therefore caution on the danger of allowing decertified/defunct union participate in your national delegate conference proceedings and elections.

We count on your diligent handling of this matter in the interest of justice, harmony and avoidance of legal impediment in any guise.”