Rivers NCSU Gets Caretaker Committee …Embattled Chairman Rejects Purported Removal

Following the  purported dissolution of the Comrade Lilly-West-led Executive Council of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State chapter, the body now has a new caretaker committee headed by one Comrade Lucky Delee.

The development was a fallout of an emergency meeting convened by the National Executive Council of NCSU in Port Harcourt earlier in the week.

The National Execo led by Comrade Kiri Mohammed had alleged that the dissolution came as a result of a report that indicted the Lilly-West led executive.

Mohammed said with the inauguration of the caretaker committee, elections into the union exco would be conducted in a few months time.

The NCSU President disclosed that the action committee which investigated allegations against Lilly-West-led exco fingered the dissolved body for being responsible for the crisis that had rocked the union in the past six months.

He ruled  out sentiments as part of the reason to dissolve  the exco, while urging members to support the new caretaker body as part of efforts to reposition the union.

Advising the caretaker members to display high moral and official standards, Comrade Mohammed urged them to use everything at their disposal to reposition the body in Rivers State, noting that NCSU in the state was one of the most vibrant in the country.

Responding on behalf of the committee members, Comrade Delee assured the union members and the national exco of a free and fair election in the next three months.

Comrade Delee solicited  the support and cooperation of members to the body in order to achieve its mandate within the specified time.

Other members of the committee include Comrade Amah Confidence, Vice Chairman, Josiah Osaroluka, Treasurer and Felicia Giadom who is billed to function as the Auditor.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Opuoyibo Lilly-West, has rejected his purported removal from office, describing it as baseless, unfounded and illegal.

According to him, he was still the elected chairman of the union in the state since laid down procedures as provided by the union’s constitution were not adhered to.

Comrade Lilly-West who reacted in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt explained that it was only the State Executive Committee of the union that reserves the right and powers to remove him from office as an elected chairman of the union.

Further buttressing his points, he said the panel constituted by the national secretariat of the union to investigate allegations of wrongdoing levelled against him had merely submitted its report on which the national headquarters led by the National President, Comrade Kiri Mohammed acted without recourse to the State Executive  Committee of the union, as provided by the constitution.

He said he was not also officially communicated of any wrongdoing before his purported removal from office and suspension, stressing that the action of the national officers amounted to gross breach of procedures.

While exonerating himself from any wrongdoing that resulted to his purported removal from office, Lilly-West appealed to members of the union in the state to remain calm, civil and law-abiding as justice would be done over the matter.

It would be recalled that Lilly-West has been having a running battle with the National Deputy President of the union, Comrade Menele Nzidee. 

Enoch Epelle/Donatus Ebi