During the recent NUATE delegates conference in Benin City, allegations surfaced of constitutional violations and a questionable electoral process.
Leading up to the election, concerns arose about manipulation of the union’s constitution, introducing extraneous clauses for contestants’.
NUATE’s disregard for electoral guidelines escalated the controversy in Benin. This led to divisions over the rejection of nomination forms for perceived opposition members.
Executives allegedly presented unopposed candidates by disqualifying others through the rejection of nomination forms or introducing unfavorable clauses into the constitution.
Few delegates expressed grievancs despite most positions being uncontested.
Lanre Popoola, a disqualified presidential candidate, criticized the electoral process, citing illegal guidelines, a flawed committee composition, among others. “The guidelines are ultra vires, with a flawed committee composition. They denied appointments to other agencies while favoring specific organizations in the committee.”
He questioned the guidelines, saying, “Why require documents like appointment letters and passports, not aligned with NUATE’s constitution?”
Popoola also challenged NUATE’s president’s eligibility, claiming, “Ben Nnabue’s tenure expired, rendering him incompetent to organize the 2023 election.”
He claimed that NEC did not approve the election, disqualifying 13 opposition members and enabling unopposed candidates to prevail.
However, NUATE’s general secretary, Comrade Ocheme Aba, defended the election, stating it adhered to the union’s constitution. He said the planning committee ensured compliance and an impartial disqualification based on criteria.
This is apparently unacceptable behaviour for the first and largest Union in Aviation Industry. Show of shame.
This is worst off. Desperation kills moral of workers and reduce negotiating powers of union. Immetation of NLC election system/collegiate arrangement not good for democracy settings.