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The leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN ) has emerged with a firm, unified stance on recent developments threatening the constitution of the association, vowing to protect the union’s integrity.
The leaders, who met in Abuja on Wednesday, were also charged with the need to resolve and take decisive action in the challenges posed by the former president of the association.
Presided over by the National President, Shehu Mohammed, the high-level meeting brought together members of the Central Working Committee (CWC), branch and chapter chairmen from all 36 states, and unit chairmen from Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in Abuja. The gathering reflected the full weight of the association’s national leadership.
In his opening remarks, the president set the tone for the deliberations. “We are here to defend the constitution of our great association and ensure that due process prevails,” he stated, drawing nods of agreement from attendees.
Central to the discussions was the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, delivered on April 15, 2026, by Justice R.B. Haastrup. The ruling, which has sparked widespread concern among members, was subjected to detailed scrutiny during the meeting.
Participants expressed strong reservations about the court’s reliance on what was described as a “purported CWC Zoom meeting.” According to the communiqué, the meeting, allegedly used to justify the extension of Innocent Bola-Audu’s tenure, “never held” as nine out of 12 CWC members did not participate, thereby failing to meet quorum requirements.
“This so-called meeting is a fabrication,” one senior CWC member declared during the session. “There is no evidence it ever took place, and it cannot be used to override a valid court judgment delivered on July 9, 2024.”
Further controversy surrounded the alleged Emergency National Delegates Conference (NDC) said to have been conducted on August 10, 2024. The meeting concluded that the conference did not comply with constitutional provisions governing such gatherings.
“The constitution is clear,” said another participant. “An Emergency NDC must be backed by a two-thirds resolution of branches and attended by at least 50 percent of them. Neither condition was met.”
The communiqué also highlighted that branches and chapters across the country were neither informed nor present at the purported conference. Instead, they reaffirmed their participation in the legitimate NDC held on August 12, 2024, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
That conference, according to the meeting, was properly constituted and supervised by the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and relevant security agencies, lending it full legitimacy.
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Another critical issue raised was the composition of the alleged August 10 conference. The meeting noted that it failed to include duly elected delegates as required by the association’s constitution, further undermining its credibility.
Adding to the controversy, the minutes of the disputed conference, submitted as Exhibit A in court were described as deeply flawed. Over 30 individuals listed as delegates reportedly issued formal disclaimers at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, denying their participation.
“This is not just a procedural lapse; it is a serious breach of trust,” a Branch Chairman remarked. “Our names and identities cannot be used to legitimise illegality.”
After extensive deliberations, the meeting moved to adopt key resolutions aimed at addressing the situation and protecting the association’s constitutional framework.
First, it was unanimously agreed that members of the CWC, alongside Branch, Chapter, and Unit Chairmen, would join the appeal already filed by the National Secretariat. The communiqué emphasized that the judgment infringes on their fundamental rights as enshrined in the association’s constitution.
Secondly, the meeting passed a resounding vote of confidence in the current leadership.
Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo received overwhelming support from attendees.
“We stand united behind our leaders,” the communiqué declared. “Their commitment to transparency, legality, and the rule of law remains unwavering.”
As the meeting concluded, there was a clear sense of solidarity and determination among participants. The communiqué serves not only as a record of proceedings but as a strong message that the association will continue to defend its constitution and democratic processes.
In the words of Mohammed, “This is a defining moment for our association. We will not relent until justice, truth, and due process are upheld.”
