By Charles Okonji
As part of efforts geared towards enforcing sanity in the Organisation, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has announced the expulsion 11 officers and members as well as suspending 15 others for alleged acts of disobedience and violation of the resolutions and decisions of its National Executive Council (NEC).
As contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency NEC meeting held on May 18, 2026, in Lagos which was signed by TUC President General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, N.A. Toro the NEC had earlier, at its April 27 meeting, directed the National Secretariat to set up a Disciplinary Committee to investigate cases of “flagrant disobedience” by members, officers and affiliates who allegedly disregarded the resolutions and decisions of the congress.
According to the communique, the committee was mandated to invite all concerned persons, grant fair hearing in line with the TUC constitution and principles of natural justice, determine culpability where established and recommend sanctions.
Haven received and deliberated on the committee’s report, the NEC approved the expulsion of 11 members from the Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Bayelsa State councils respectively immediate effect.
Accoding to the communique; “Those expelled includes; Comrade Abiodun Aladetan, Comrade Gbolahan Kabiawu, Comrade Veronica Egbukichi and Comrade Salau Oladele from Lagos State Council; Comrade Josiah Udoka, Comrade Emmanuel Onumbu and Comrade June Danangogo from Rivers State Council; Comrade Ben Asogwa, Comrade Simeon Ejikemen Akaeme and Comrade Igbokwe Joe Igbokwe from Enugu State Council; and Comrade Fefegha Muneneyi Edwin from Bayelsa State Council.”
While responding to the press during a press briefing on Monday 18th May, 2026, the President of TUC, Festus Osifo emphasised that the expelled persons ceases to be members, officers, representatives or functionaries of the congress in any capacity.
“They have been barred from representing or acting on behalf of the TUC, participating in congress activities, issuing statements in its name, collecting funds on behalf of the organisation or using any of its official materials, insignia and property.
The congress also directed the expelled members to immediately hand over all TUC documents, assets, identity materials and official property in their possession.
However, the NEC sounded a note of warning to the organisation’s affiliates, state councils, institutions, employers, government agencies, security agencies and the general public against recognising or dealing with the expelled persons as representatives of the congress.
Also, 15 officers from Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa State councils were suspended for two years with immediate effect.
According to the communique, those suspended include; “Comrade Martins Adesanoye and Comrade Idoka John from Lagos State Council; Comrade Nnamdi Cosmos and Jacob Simon Idakwo from Rivers State Council; as well as 10 officers from Bayelsa State Council, including Comrade Enemotimi Allen, Comrade Atonye Jonah, Comrade Kuro Peri-Ockiya, Comrade Tupere Diekedie and Barrister Gita Matthew Peremobowei.”
“During the suspension period, the affected officers would cease to function in any official capacity within the congress or use its name and property.
“Discipline remained essential to the “survival, stability and integrity” of the congress, stressing that no personal interest or ambition should supersede the collective interest and unity of the organisation,” the communique averred.
