By Adegboyega Joseph
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), LNRBDA Unit, has formally distanced itself from a picketing exercise carried out by the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAE) in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) State Chapter at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) headquarters.
The union said it was not consulted, condemned the disruption of official activities, and described the conduct during the protest as inconsistent with peaceful labour practices.
In a press release signed by ASCSN LNRBDA Unit Chairman, Comrade Olusegun Peter, and Secretary, Engr. Usman Shaaba, the union stated that as an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), it received no communication or consultation regarding the May 11 protest and therefore had no involvement in the exercise.
While affirming the constitutional right of workers and labour organizations to lawful assembly and peaceful expression of grievances, ASCSN stressed 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.”
According to the statement, staff were denied access to their workplace, normal official activities were disrupted, and innocent school children were reportedly prevented from entering educational facilities within the premises.
Several individuals also sustained injuries while attempting to gain entry through the main gate.
Of particular concern, ASCSN said, was an alleged attack on its LNRBDA Unit Chairman during the incident, including an attempt to assault him with a metal object amid the confusion at the entrance gate.
The union said such conduct was condemnable and undermined the principles of peaceful labour engagement.
ASCSN added that video recordings, photographic materials, and eyewitness accounts documented acts of aggression, obstruction, intimidation, and violence during the exercise, contradicting claims that the protest was entirely peaceful and orderly.
The union also noted that the picketing lacked a clearly articulated industrial agenda beyond chants calling for the removal of a management official and allegations of victimization, raising questions about the true objectives of the action.
The union maintained that labour unionism should focus on collective staff welfare, constructive engagement, industrial peace, and institutional progress, rather than actions that create tension, intimidation, or avoidable confrontation.
It further observed that the numerical strength and representational realities of unions within the authority appeared not to have been considered, stating that the overwhelming majority of staff neither participated in nor identified with the protest.
While acknowledging genuine welfare concerns, including unresolved salary and welfare-related matters currently under engagement, ASCSN said it remained committed to exhausting lawful dialogue, negotiation, and established industrial mechanisms before resorting to actions that could negatively affect workers, public peace, and institutional operations.
The union called on all stakeholders to embrace maturity, dialogue, mutual respect, and responsible union conduct in handling industrial matters within the authority.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, lawful engagement, industrial harmony, staff welfare, and the collective progress of the LNRBDA.
