The election of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Abia State chapter was stopped by a court order obtained by one of the aspirants for the chairmanship position.
The order which was issued by Justice Ogbonna Adiele of Abia State High Court on the 8th of September, 2022, restrained the respondents (Comrades G. C Acho, Mike Nwonu, Precious Okoye, Chukwuma Igbokwe and Kennis Ngene) “from conducting any election into the executive positions of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Abia State Council slated to hold on 8th and 9th days of September, 2022, respectively, pending the determination of the motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction.”
According to the order which was sighted by our correspondent, the Judge also ordered: “That the applicants are to enter into an undertaking as to damages,” while fixing the date for the hearing of the substantive application to be on the 15th of September, 2022.
JOURNALIST101 gathered that despite the court order stopping the election, 122 Ikot Ekpene, Road, Umuahia, the state secretariat of ASCSN and the venue of the election was busy with election activities and the atmosphere very tensed as supporters of both camps attempted to have their way.
As the melee ensued, the state government through the Chief of Staff deployed security officials to the venue to forestall any breakdown of low and order as it’s alleged that thugs were mobilized to the venue.
The respondents in the suit accused the government of interference due to vested interest but the office of the chief of staff said they simply moved in to sto bloodshed at the venue when it was learnt that the members of the association were at daggers drawn.
Office of the Chief of Staff said they’re not interested in the election of the union. The National Vice president and Assistant Secretary General that were at the venue of the election were subsequently invited to the office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor who advised them to vacate the suit so they can hold their election devoid of any rancour.
JOURNALIST101 gathered that the development in Abia chapter of ASCSN isn’t unconnected to the crisis rocking the National chapter of the ASCSN which culminated in the shutting down of their National Secretariat in Lagos.
