ASCSN re-elects Bola-Audu as President, gets new CWC

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has re-elected Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu for a second term as the National President.

The election took place during an emergency National Delegates Conference (NDC) held over the weekend.

In a communique signed by Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu and the National Secretary, Gamaliel Acho, and released to the media in Abuja on Sunday, the NDC-in-session expressed its approval of the July 9, 2024, judgment by the National Industrial Court. The judgment, delivered by Justice O. O. Oyewunmi in case no. NIC/ABJ/214/2022, reaffirmed Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu as the legitimate National President of ASCSN.

The delegates praised the election process, describing it as free and fair, with active participation from representatives across all thirty-six states and the FCT. The NDC also condemned efforts by certain former and current members, along with their associates, to undermine and damage the Association, as well as to obstruct ongoing police investigations into significant financial fraud and other crimes committed against the Association.

The communique commended the Nigeria Police, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), for their thorough investigation and commitment to prosecuting those implicated in the misappropriation of the Association’s resources. It also pledged the Association’s full support to law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served.

Additionally, the NDC called on the IGP to intervene and instruct the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to unseal the Abuja annex of the National Secretariat, which has been sealed off, allowing Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu to resume his duties as the court-affirmed National President. The NDC criticized the actions of Commissioner of Police Benneth Igwe, who had unlawfully sealed the annex, violating the law and disregarding the National Industrial Court’s judgment, thereby disrupting the Association’s operations.

The NDC also confirmed the appointment of Comrade Gamaliel Chinyere Acho as the new Secretary General of the Association, an appointment previously made by the Central Working Committee (CWC) and ratified by the National Executive Council (NEC).

Furthermore, the communique commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Labour and Employment for swiftly addressing the national minimum wage issue, noting that the proposed N70,000 is a suitable benchmark for the lowest-paid workers in Nigeria, given the high cost of living and economic conditions. The delegates urged the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to ensure that consequential adjustments to the new minimum wage are implemented immediately, with payments to begin no later than September 2024.

Finally, the communique encouraged the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council to engage with the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission, as well as the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, to expedite the process for the necessary wage adjustments.

Other officers elected to the Central Working Committee include Comrades Hassan Abba, Tari Dounana, Andrew Magaji, Odunayo Adesoye as Vice Presidents; Rahab Maigari as National Treasurer; Nkiru Aneke as Internal Auditor; Jonathan Aligbe as National Trustee; and Gold Dybo, Isaac Lingmu, Christopher Lengbedion, Adebayo Oluwa, and Orisamuyiwa Abidakun as National Ex-Officio members.