AUATON is an organised registered trade union under the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has suspended its General Secretary, Ayoade Ibrahim over alleged misconduct and disregard to office responsibilities.
AUATON is an organised registered trade union under the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity.
Its coverage includes e-hailing or online transport drivers, app-based bike and bicycle food delivery and courier delivery workers (dispatch), app-based bike passenger workers, and app-based bus passenger workers in the online sub-sector of the transportation industry across Nigeria.
Ayoade’s suspension was disclosed in a statement signed by Comrade Jossy Adaraniwon, Chairman Media, Publicity, and Technical Committee of the association on Tuesday.
The association accused Ayoade of engaging in blackmail and disruption of the image of the Central Working Committee by instigating state executives against national officers of the union.
The group accused him of relieving the President and Treasurer of administrative rights and locking out all national officers from the CWC platform.
AUATON also alleged that the General Secretary used the union platform to propagate the vision and objectives of another union.
The statement reads in part, "The central working committee of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) in a crucial meeting held on 23 March 2024 suspended the General Secretary Ayoade Ibrahim in a motion that read a series of weighty offences moved by Comrade Fred Aleburu the National Auditor and seconded by Joseph Adaraniwon the National Exofficio, and supported by two-thirds (2/3) of members present and eligible to vote while five others were indifferent on the motion.”
The petition and motion reads, “Dear Comrade President and members of Central Working Committee, ‘Petition Against The Habitual Violation And Contravention Of Constitution, Gross Misconduct And Breach Of Administrative Procedures BY Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim The General Secretary.’
"I, Hon. Comrade Fred Enaikhe Aleburu stand before you this afternoon to present a matter of national interest that will safeguard the union's constitutionality, unity, integrity, rule of law, abuse of office power, and promote the overall objective of our great union if considered.
"I have noticed and watched with keen interest as the National Auditor severally, the General Secretary Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim’s violation and blatant disregard to the union constitution, principle of trade union and authorities of CWC till date without consequences, some of the good examples out of many are the following.
"The general secretary consistently rejected the call for a meeting by the president and members of CWC in violation of sections 15Dvi,ix, and xii (functions of General Secretary).
"This refusal to attend the union national symposium and meeting established through CWC resolution without any official message to the CWC is a violation of the Ministry of Labour MOU witnessed by the registrar and also an anti-union practice
"Continue to operate in the name of the bloc (NUPEDP ID card) sent to the CWC group. In violation of the union constitution as stated under the Preamble and Ministry of Labour resolution.
"Failure to carry out the CWC resolutions. Anti-union activities. Violation of the Ministry of Labour resolution.
"Opening of NEC group without CWC resolution and the purported claim to get AUATON secretariat without the awareness of President and CWC or NEC resolution as constitutionally required.
"Relieving the President and Treasurer of Admin Right and locking out all national officers from the CWC platform. Threats to run a parallel union, anti-union, and personal interest.
"The General Secretary uses the union platform to propagate another union vision and objectives as against Article 3a-k. The General Secretary proclaims and addresses himself in the union CWC, NEC, and publicly as an officer of another union that AUATON has no relationship with or knows the General Secretary's relationship in contravention of Article 30:13.
"The General Secretary engages in blackmailing and disruption of CWC's image by instigating state executives against national officers of the union. And going public on a delicate union document yet to be treated by the CWC and the NEC.”
"Failure to provide up-to-date minutes of the union meetings General Secretary which is the core responsibility of the General SecretarySecretary," the motion moved by Aleburu added.
The union in its resolution said, “The petition submitted by the National Auditor of the union has been given attention, and upon a 2/3 vote by the Central Working Committee of the union has suspended the General Secretary pending further investigation, and recommendation to the National Executive Council which was recently inaugurated for expulsion.
“Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade as a spokesperson or an individual does not in any way represent the union, and any statements made by him against the union will be legally challenged and legal actions will be taken to prevent such from happening in the future.
“As of today, it is important for the general public and all media platforms to note that Comrade Ayoade who claims to be the General Secretary of the union has been suspended by the Central working committee, and any entertainment of this character to demean the credibility of the union or the president of the union will warrant legal consequences without prejudice to constitutional freedom of speech as this notice as imperatively been given on this note.”