NUP writes FG over dissolution of former FCS branch executive

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Federal Civil Service branch has written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over the dissolution of its former executive led by Sunday Omezi, saying that the process that led to their removal followed the constitution of the union.

In a letter with reference number NUP/FCSPB/CTC/05/21, dated 15 June, 2021, the union accused the ministry of undermining the authority of the leadership of the NUP, alleging that the ministry is supporting the dissolved executives and fueling intra-union crisis in the branch.

The letter was signed by the six Caretaker Committee members, led by Comrade Eguoba Fredrick, who were put in place by the National Delegate Conference (NDC) of NUP, following the dissolution of the former executive, to steer the ship of the branch, with clear terms of reference.

The union regretted that the sacked executive members “have sold their multiple lies to the Minister of Labour who tries to support them ignorantly and against all known principles of civil service.”

In their prayers, the union said the dissolved executive should be told in clear terms that if they were not satisfied, they should go to court, and that “the ministry should simply advocate to them to go to court, instead of undermining the authority of the leadership of the NUP.”

They also appealed to the ministry to join the Caretaker Committee “to get our rights from the government, instead of fueling intraday-union crisis in our branch.”

The letter also stated that the creation of the Caretaker Committee was in line with NUP constitution, in order not to create further division among the rank and file, adding that the Caretaker Committee should be allowed to fulfill its mandate and terms of references as directed by the NDC.

It said: “What was done openly by the NDC cannot just be undone by the ministry, the NUP National Headquarters or simply by even the CWC. Far from it. If the former exco were dissolved by infraction on the union’s rules, what would be the offence of the Caretaker Committee to warrant its dissolution?

“Therefore, we submit humbly that the Caretaker Committee should be allowed to carry out its mandate to avoid endless litigation in the interest of the union.”

The letter further explained that in line with the union’s constitution, rule 11d(ii), the power to dissolve any erring exco is vested in the National Administrative Committee (NAC) of the union, adding that rule six, section i-iv explains further that the government of the union shall be vested in the National Delegates Conference (NDC); National Executive Council (NEC); Central Working Committee (CWC) and the National Administrative Committee (NAC).

It said: “Therefore, the decision of the NAC was passed on through the CWC, when the CWC ratified it, it was passed on to the NEC. After long deliberations, the NEC approved the recommendations of CWC and passed it onto the owners of the union, the NDC. The NDC on 22 April, 2021 approved the recommendation of all the various organs of the union and upheld the dissolution of the national executive of the Federal Civil Service branch led by Sunday Omezie. From the foregoing, it is clear that the NUP clearly followed the path of the constitution in dissolving the erring national executive.”

Ironically, the letter pointed out that all the seven members of the dissolved executives were disengaged junior officers when in service, such as drivers, mechanics, national planning officer, plumber, a clerical officer and one retired driver.

The letter stated that the Federal Civil Service in the country has come a long way for completely junior staff in service to head its leadership.

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