Rivers TUC warns of impostors, declares sole authority under Ogan

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Rivers State Council of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, has raised alarm over what it described as “dangerous impersonation” by individuals parading themselves as its leaders, insisting there is only one duly elected leadership in the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the newly elected State Chairman, Comrade Samuel Ogan, said the union was compelled to speak out after receiving reports of unauthorized persons visiting institutions and engaging authorities in the name of the TUC.

“It has become necessary to address the general public because the situation calls for grave concern as it is misleading,” Ogan warned. “There are some persons parading themselves as TUC Rivers State… carrying out activities in the name of the TUC Rivers State Council.”

Ogan described the October 30 election as transparent, orderly and conducted strictly in line with TUC electoral guidelines. He explained that the entire process, from publication of notices to the organisation of the State Delegates Conference, SDC, was overseen by committees at both state and national levels.

“The process leading to the election of the current leadership was transparent and seamless,” he said. “A State Delegates Conference Organizing Committee was constituted and chaired by Comrade Nyeche Wodike, and an Electoral Committee from the TUC National Secretariat, led by Comrade Anthony Ebaho, oversaw the process.”

He recounted that during attempts to harmonize candidates, an established TUC practice, factional chairman Comrade Udoka and his team “bluntly refused to participate” and walked out.

“It was in this gathering that the imposter TUC Chairman Comrade Udoka and his team clearly stated that they will not be part of the election for reasons best known to them and staged a walkout,” Ogan said.

The TUC Chairman urged government agencies, institutions, and the public to deal exclusively with the legitimate leadership under his chairmanship. He also called on the national leaders of ASCSN and M.NAVY to caution their Rivers State chapters, which he said continue to “mislead the public” by acting as a parallel TUC.

“I warn the two affiliates, ASCSN and M.NAVY, parading themselves as a parallel leadership, to desist, as there is only one TUC Rivers State Council,” he stated.

Ogan further revealed that his team has formally notified Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Police Commissioner, DSS, NSCDC, and other agencies to brief them on the situation, noting that impostors have “gone completely haywire.”

“As the recognized state leadership, we have written to all security agencies to schedule courtesy visits and provide firsthand information. These fraudsters must stop misleading the public,” he declared.

He assured Rivers residents and workers that the TUC remains united and committed to strengthening labour solidarity in the state.

“There is no division whatsoever in the TUC Rivers State Council,” he said. “We are committed to strengthening trade unionism and working with all stakeholders.”