The leadership crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has escalated dramatically. Senior civil servants in the state have formally rejected one of the two factions battling for control, deepening divisions within the organised labour movement.
Senior Civil Servants Draw a Firm Line
This week, the dispute took a decisive turn. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Rivers State Chapter, issued a strong communiqué following an enlarged State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting. The association explicitly distanced itself from what it termed the "imposition" of Comrade Samuel Ogan and other private sector representatives to speak for civil servants.
The ASCSN declared that Comrade Ogan, identified as a private sector unionist, lacks both the mandate and the structural understanding to represent government workers in dealings with the Rivers State Government. "The SEC categorically states that it does not recognise Comrade Samuel Ogan or his associates in any capacity as chairman or officers of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State," the communiqué stated.
Legitimacy Battle and a Warning to Vacate
Reading the association's position, ASCSN Secretary, Comrade June Dagogo, said the meeting unanimously affirmed the TUC State Delegates’ Conference held on October 30, 2025. That conference produced Comrade Udoka Josiah (PhD, MCIA) as State Chairman. The ASCSN disassociated all senior civil servants from the rival process that produced Comrade Ogan.
The association underscored that civil service labour affairs require deep institutional knowledge, which it claims private sector unionists lack. It also pointed to its historical role in producing state leaders as evidence of its credibility.
In a major escalation, the ASCSN directed Comrade Ogan and his group to immediately vacate the TUC Secretariat on NTA–Ozuoba Road, Port Harcourt. The association claimed the facility was built with its resources and warned that continued occupation was unlawful. It called on the state government and security agencies to take note.
Ogan's Rebuttal and Stakes for Workers
In a swift reaction, Comrade Samuel Ogan dismissed the senior civil servants' position as unfortunate. He insisted that the election on October 30, 2025, which produced him as Chairman, was authentic. He challenged his opponents to provide proof of national endorsement for any parallel leadership.
"For now, there is only one authentic leader of TUC in Rivers State, and that is myself," Ogan stated in a telephone interview. He argued that if ASCSN wished to withdraw, it must follow formal procedures through the TUC's national body.
Amid the feud, the ASCSN appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and heads of MDAs not to engage with the Ogan-led group on civil servants' issues. It warned that any agreements made with the disputed faction would not be binding on Rivers State civil servants.
Despite the internal conflict, the association commended Governor Fubara for worker-friendly policies, specifically the N100,000 Christmas bonus and enrolment into the NSITF scheme. It pledged continued support for the governor's efforts to promote industrial harmony and development in the state.
