NUAAE faction appeals for election of State Executives, adherence to Labour Ministry’s directive
By Matthew Denis
A factional Executive of National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE) led by the National Treasurer of union, Mr. Femi Oyenubi has appealed to the other Executive led by the National President, Comrade Simon Achaver to come to a roundtable discussion to put an to the lingering crisis rocking the union.
The group is equally calling on the Comrade Achaver led faction to come together so that they (both) can conduct the states executives Election within the stipulated directive issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour.
Recalled that the NUAAE has been experiencing crisis for some years which has led the union to be divided into two factions – Comrade Achaver and Comrade Oyenubi respectively.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Comrade Femi Oyenubi said ” we’re here to address a protracted crisis in the union which we have petitioned it before the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige on the need to comply with the agreement led by the other group, Simon Achaver.
“The Ministry of Labour on the December, 2nd 2022 replied us that we (both) groups have not merge the staffers of the union and yet to conduct the states Election among other issues.
” The issue is that the Anchave led faction sat and decided that they have suspended us and we too met at NEC meeting suspended them as well. But the Minister said in the letter made available to us that there shouldn’t be suspension from both sides as all of us should settle the issue and Report back to the ministry within one month.
” So it behooves us to come and let them be aware that we received a letter from the Ministry in resolving the crisis and we want them to choose a date to meet and deliberate if not the Ministry said it will set aside the two factional group and put a caretaker executive.
” When we came here to serve the letter we discovered that the office were under locked and some police stationed to stop us from gaining access inside. But when we presented our documents to the police that we have genuinely to serve letter to the other faction for a peaceful resolution on the Minister’s directive they understood with us.
According to him the letter was delivered to the acting General Secretary of Comrade Achaver group who collected the letter but yet to acknowledge it.
He stressed that they are trying to work within the law to abide by the timeframe to them by the Minister as they will go back to report the situation on ground to Ministry.
” The truth must be told we have abided by the instructions given us by the ministry by delivering the letter as law abiding citizens and we hope that the other group complies too for amicable resolutions.
Comrade Oyenubi emphasized that the ministry will take the final decision on the present condition should the other group fails to comply.
Comrade Oyenubi executives includes the National Deputy President of the Union, Comrade Aniedi Ekpo and the General Secretary, Cmr. Chapi Paul among others.
The copy of the letter of Comrade Oyenubi’s Group made available to Newsmen reads ” in view of the Ministry’s directive, I am directed to instruct you to ensure that the Elections of the state’s Executives Committee are conducted within the next one month, bearing in mind the formula for the sharing of the Executive positions as contained in the 4th April and 27th December, 2019 Agreement (Ratio 5:4) Old Achaver led Agric and Old Oyenubi led Agric Union.
Several calls and texts messages sent to the sent to the phone contact of Comrade Achaver was not reachable nor replied at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a copy of letter from the Ministry of Labour seen by Journalists dated 2nd December, 2022 and signed by Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom on behalf of the Minister reads.
“The Election of the National Administrative Council of the union, national delegates conference, harmonization of NUAAE staff and payment of outstanding salaries. States Transition Committee and Victimization Violation clause.
” While the Elections of the National Administrative Council of the union has been conducted, it is however surprising that the Elections of the various states executives Committee hasn’t been conducted in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has contributed to the renew crisis in your union.
” In view of the above, I’m directed to instruct you that the Elections of the State Executive Committees for the various states are conducted within the next one month, bearing in mind the formula of the elective positions as contained in the April 2019 Agreement (5:4) Old Achaver led Agric Union and Old Oyenubi led Agric Union.
” I am further directed to inform you that failure to comply with this directive could make the Ministry take appropriate actions to restore peace and Harmony in the Union.
