Dare Babalola
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Friday suspended a planned protest demanding the removal of the union’s Business Manager, Abayo Bolorunde.
The decision was made known at a rally attended by chapters from across the Lagos–Ogun zone.
The union warned that the suspension is temporary and that a more decisive action will follow if their demands are not met.
Speaking at the rally, the Assistant General Secretary and Field Service representative Ntukubes Mbang accused Bolorunde of continuing to exercise authority despite having ostensibly retired.
They accused the Business Manager of intimidating staff and presiding over the dismissal of 68 workers under circumstances the union describes as “questionable.”
Mbang said the union would meet with the management leaders on September 24, 2025, and that the outcome of that meeting would determine the union’s next steps.
While the protesting members agreed to suspend immediate industrial action “out of respect” for the pending talks, Mbang stressed the suspension was tactical, not conciliatory.
Several protesters echoed his demand that the management not reinstate the Business Manager, and called on all chapters to remain vigilant and report any attempt to return him to a post.
Union officials warned members to disregard any unauthorised instructions posted on public platforms and said legitimate directives would come only from union leaders.
The NUEE said it will reconvene after the September 24 meeting to decide whether to lift the suspension or resume protest action.
Mbang said, “Informally, the number one point of conflict, which is the demon here, will not return to the light we have brought here.
“I declare powerfully that that man will not return to the past.
“So, every chapter represented here, if they post to you, that very day he comes, the gate must be locked against him. Is that an agreement? We will call this our full-on job declaration.
“Remember, tell all our members, NUEE members, in all the BUs (business units) and corporate headquarters, that if that man returns there, that day, no job in that location. And escalate it to us immediately. It’s a declaration.
“Is that accepted by us? Thank you very much. I tell you, the management will not bring the devil here again. And I want to beg those of you who are going to management positions. Because you will go to management positions, whether the enemy likes it or not. So long as you are doing your work well, you will go to management positions. When you get there, do not forget these people.
“Those of us who are in gutters now that have pushed you to get to that place. That is what this man has done. He is a demon from the pit of hell.
“He has not respected those who assisted him. We were in NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) together. How many of you are here that don’t know when he was in NEPA? Was he anything?”
Mbang continued, “I am very sure, those of you who know, I was a higher officer than him, that time. And I remember when I came here to do my election there, I saw his pride.
“I said, God, can people be so obsessed with power? Pride. Please, I beg all of you, don’t allow pride to destroy you because even God doesn’t like people with pride.
“I want to declare again that we will suspend this action. For now. The suspension will not mean we have to lose the action. We suspend the action to go re-strategise, to wait until the day of that meeting.
“The outcome of the meeting will help us to make another decision that will be communicated to you,” Mbang added.
