Senior civil servants wash their hands of NUAE/NLC pickets at the River Basin headquarters

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), LNRBDA unit, has distanced itself from the violent picketing carried out by the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAE) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on Monday at the headquarters of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Ilorin.

The union said it had not been consulted and condemned the disruption to official activities, describing behavior during the protest as incompatible with peaceful working practices.

In a press release on Tuesday signed by the Chairman of the ASCSN LNRBDA unit, Comrade Olusegun Peter, and the Secretary, Engr. Usman Shaaba, the union said that, as an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), it had not received any communication or consultation regarding the May 11 protest and was therefore not involved in the operation.

While affirming the constitutional right of workers and trade unions to legally assemble and peacefully express their grievances, the ASCSN stated that such actions must be conducted responsibly and within the bounds of industrial civility, public order and respect for the rights of others.

The union described the events at the LNRBDA headquarters as “unfortunate and disturbing”.

The union further alleged that “staff were denied access to the workplace, normal official activities were disrupted and innocent school children were reportedly prevented from entering educational facilities on the premises.”

“Several people also sustained injuries while trying to enter through the main gate.”

Of particular concern, the ASCSN said, was an alleged attack on the LNRBDA unit president during the incident, including an attempt to attack him with a metal object in the confusion at the entrance gate.

The union said such conduct was condemnable and undermined the principles of peaceful labor engagement.