.. gives ultimatum
By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS – THE Road Transport Employers Association of NIGERIA (RTEAN) , says Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu lacks statutory power to ban the Union’s activities in Lagos State.
RTEAN said the Governor’s action to ban the Union is contrary to the court order, dated April 18, 2023 of SUIT NO: NICN/LA/381/LA2022.
The Union conveyed its message to the governor through a letter, written by Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The letter dated Monday, May 22, 2023, was signed by Secretary General and General Secretary of both Unions,
Comrades Nuhu A. Toro and Comrade Emma Ugbuaja, Esq,.
The Unions gave Sanwu-Olu up till Tuesday, May 30, 2023, to rescind his decision against RTEAN failure of which the Unions will embark on a day warning strike on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, across the State.
NLC and TUC copied the Inspector General of Police, Director, Directorate of State Security and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly.
The letter reads, ” We Convey Compliments from the leadership of the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress and wish to refer your excellency to the above subject matter, congresses equally extend our goodwill to you and wishes you well as you begin your second term as Governor of Lagos State from May 29, 2023.
” In wishing you the best, we draw your attention to your government’s unacceptable violation of the country’s constitution which you have sworn to uphold, disobedience of court orders and abridgement of fundamental human rights as regards the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW.
” Your government in gross violation of Section 40 of the Constitution which guarantees Nigerians the right to freedom of association purported to have banned RTEAN and NUTRW. This is despite that section of the constitution stating unambiguously that this right to freely associate includes the right to form and belong to trade unions of their choice.
” Secondly, trade unions are on the Exclusive Legislative List which in simple language means that states including Lagos State do not have powers over trade unions not to talk about proscribing them.
‘Thirdly, this act of your government violates Article 2 of the United Nations Declaration on Fundamental Human Rights which states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
‘ ‘Fourthly, your government in purporting to proscribe RTEAN violates the International Labour Organisation, ILO Convention No 87 which guarantees humans the right to freely associate.
‘ ‘Fifth, your government’s seizure of the RTEAN offices built by the union is a gross violation of the constitutional right to own property, and your constitutional duty to defend private property.
‘ ‘Six, the seizure by your government of two TUC buses found in the premises of the RTEAN and repainting them, has no other word but theft. It is unacceptable that your government continues to hold on to the TUC buses and putting them to use.
WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE OF COURT ORDERS.
” Your Excellency, another issue in this unfolding drama of unconstitutionality and lawlessness which your leadership has scripted and is acting, is its blatant refusal to obey the courts of the land.
” In case you claim to be unaware, the National Industrial Court, NIC which is an appellate court, ruled on April 18, 2023 that the actions of your government are illegal and in gross violation of the constitution.
” In SUIT NO: NICN/LA/381/LA2022, in which Your Excellency, your Attorney General, your Special Adviser, Hon Sola Giwa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and 33 others are defendants, His Lordship Hon Justice M.N. Esowe declared that your government has no power to:
Dissolve the leadership of RTEAN operating in Lagos State and appoint a Caretaker Committee to run its affairs.
- Inquire into any dispute within RTEAN’s operation in the state.
- Inquire into the composition of the union’s leadership, proceed to dissolve an elected Executive Committee and appoint a Caretaker Committee.
- Dissolve the union leadership, therefore the acts of your government are unlawful and unconstitutional.
Given the above, the Court made the following orders:
- Perpetual injunction restraining Your Excellency and appointed officers from further interfering in the functions of Lagos State Branch of the RTEAN.
- Perpetual injunction restraining Your Excellency and appointed officers from further interfering and managing the affairs of the Lagos State Branch of RTEAN, and
- That the Lagos State Police Commissioner through his officers and men should refrain from intimidating and blocking access to the elected Executive Committee of the Lagos State Branch of RTEAN, remove all barricades, forthwith recall all the armed policemen stationed at the union’s premises and allow the RTEAN elected officers unrestricted access to their premises.
“Your Excellency, the TUC and NLC has gone to this length to detail this case and the violations of the Lagos State Government under your leadership with the hope that you will cause the right actions to be taken.
*However, if by Wednesday, May 30, 2023 you refuse and your government insists on these gross violations, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, whose affiliates, the Road Transport Employers Association RTEAN and National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, will carry out a one-day action in Lagos State.
*This will serve as a warning before the labour center’s embark on full industrial strikes and actions against your government until it agrees to obey the courts, the constitution and international conventions on the rights of human beings.
*We hope you will take advantage of this ultimatum. But if you allow this situation to further degenerate, the TUC, NLC and Nigerian workers might be compelled to use all legal means including international civil and criminal courts to bring Your Excellency and your appointees to justice.
*While we expect your expedited intervention, accept our congratulations once more and the assurances of our regards. “
