The National Industrial Court has upheld the removal of Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade as the General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON). This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Council of the union, Comrade Steven Iwindoye.
Delivering its judgment in the Suit No: NICN/ABJ/97/2024, filed by the National Chairman of the union, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran and the AUATON body, Honourable Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the industrial court affirmed that Ayoade was lawfully removed from office on March 28, 2024, and no longer holds any official role within the union.
Aside from the removal, the court also issued a perpetual injunction, permanently restraining Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade, his associates, and affiliates from publicly or privately presenting him as the AUATON General Secretary in any form or platform. The court also mandated Ayoade to publish a public disclaimer through both traditional media and digital platforms—including WhatsApp and Twitter—clearly stating that he ceased to be General Secretary as of March 2024.
Reacting to the ruling, the National President, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran, said the ruling reinforces the supremacy of the union’s constitution. This is especially so as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) initiated a reconciliation effort to resolve the leadership crisis, an effort the President described as illegal and morally bankrupt.
“This ruling reinforces the supremacy of our union’s constitution and internal democratic processes. The push to reinstate Ayoade was not only illegal but morally bankrupt. His return was being orchestrated by those benefitting from corrupt dealings tied to international social impact grants,” Adeniran stated.
Ibrahim Ayoade takes AUATON tussle to the appeal court
While the National office of the AUATON believes the NIC ruling marks a definitive end to the long-standing leadership crisis that has posed a threat to its stability and credibility, the ousted Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade, has appealed the ruling of the industrial court, stating that the judgment went against the weight of evidence presented to the trial court per the notice of appeal seen by Technext.
In a chat with Technext, Ayoade asserted that he remains the General Secretary of the union until the determination of his appeal. He also stated that he has the right to seek Justice up to the Supreme Court level, and until his legal options are exhausted, he remains the General Secretary.
He went on to accuse the Adedamola-led faction of deceit, noting that the NLC, which the AUATON is affiliated with, as part of its reconciliation effort, asked all parties to withdraw their court cases. While he followed the NLC mandate, the other party did not.
“The NLC mandated reconciliation, and we were all asked to withdraw our court cases, which I did. However, my case wasn’t formally withdrawn by the other party. Instead, they made newspaper publications about my reinstatement,” he said.
Ibrahim Ayoade further warned that due to the disregard for the NLC to which the AUATON is affiliated, the labour congress might dissolve all union leadership and hierarchy.
“At any moment, the NLC/Registrar of Trade Unions may introduce a caretaker committee, which could lead to the dissolution of our union’s leadership from the branch to the national level,” he finished.
The AUATON crisis tentatively began in July 2024 when Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade announced the factionalisation of the union, declaring himself the Secretary General of the union and one David Nosa as National President. He went on to declare that his faction was then in court to challenge the Adeniran-led executives because, based on the AUATON constitution, they are no longer members of AUATON.
This move prompted the Adeniran-led executives to swing into action, removing Comrade Ayoade as the General Secretary of the union. Although efforts were made by the NLC to resolve the crisis, it now seems far from over.
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