RE: ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES RAISE ALARM OVER NEW GROUP

#BringBackOurMoney#The attention of the Coordinator, PHCN SATAFF FORUM, Kaduna Mr. Stanley Ilumah has been drawn to a malicious and false alarm raised by the Kaduna State Council of the National Union of Electricity Employees titled “Electricity Employees Raise Alarm Over New Group” published in Daily Trust edition of 16th August, 2016 Page 18, linking him and the Forum to taxing and extortion of both ex-and serving staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The statement further alleged that, “we are also aware that a faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is said to be sponsoring this calculated attempt to disparage the good image of the union and its leadership and called on the general public to be wary of the dubious group…”  Mr. Stanley Ilumah and the Forum do not wish to join issues with Kaduna State Council of NUEE, Ephraim James, Mohamed Auwal Bello and their ilk but for the fact that, this piece of warped information was malignantly misleading. It wrongly insinuated that the group (PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna) is parading itself as representative of the former PHCN staff. Yes, we make bold to state here for the avoidance of doubt that the Forum genuinely represents the interest of its members and will continue to do so within the ambit of the law despite the distraction of those crying wolf where there is none.

As Nigerian citizens, Mr. Stanley Ilumah and the Forum will continue to enjoy the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly as enshrined in sections 24(1) and 25(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and not even NUEE can take away such rights. The issues of having only three registered Unions in the Power Sector does not bother the Forum as it is not in any competition of space with NUEE or the other two Unions mentioned for the simple reason that their interests are different from the Forum's. The Forum therefore wishes to state clearly that it is a law abiding and civil group. In its 10 months of existence, at no time was the group linked with any criminal activities. In fact, it is on record that relevant law enforcement agencies had interacted and have been keeping tab on its activities. Therefore, it is preposterous for an ignorant group to point accusing fingers when relevant security agencies are on top of the situation. One wonders what stops the Kaduna State Council of NUEE from reporting those dubious acts to the security agencies for necessary action before taking to the pages of newspapers.  These unfounded allegations reside purely in the imaginations of NUEE, Ephraim, Mohamed Auwal Bello and his failed co-travelers. If not what stops those extorted from raising the red flag.  The off-side kick qualifies for a simply distraction of a noble course the Forum has embarked upon. However, the Coordinator and the Forum shall not succumb to intimidation or cheap black mail.

Since Mr. Stanley Ilumah signed a letter by the Forum addressed to Joe Ajaero demanding for the refund of over 7.7billion deducted from the Severance Package of ex-PHCN staff without response, the leadership of NUEE has been in total disarray. As their advances to our forum to sheath the sword failed, they have resorted to blackmail. The NUEE spent forces and deflated foot soldiers in Kaduna State Council have been running from pillar to post in their desperate bid to cover up their tracks. Clear conscience fears no accusation is a popular saying. One would have thought that NUEE had better argument or explanation to make on the 7.7 billion naira instead of chasing shadow in the dark and engaging in undignified frivolities. In their futile and desperate attempt to score cheap goal, disparage the Coordinator, the Forum and bring both to the odium of public disrepute, why was it only the NUEE officials that mischievously signed a statement on behalf of three Unions? The NUEE is crying more than the bereaved. Where, when, how were those taxed and extorted? Cant those they seek to protect be mentioned or presented? The statement was the silliest information at the public domain. That by forming a group to propagate definite interests, the leader and such group has become dubious and an extortionist is to say the least diversionary.  The general public is by this medium informed that the statement is a proxy war launched by the National Union of Electricity Employees against PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna through the Kaduna State Council over the Forum’s demand for accountability in NUEE. Mr. Stanley Ilumah and the Forum are undaunted and unfazed until this is achieved.

Instead of addressing the demand and issues raised in the letter frontally and responsibly, the Union is playing to the gallery and has attempted to reduce a critical issue to name calling and insinuations. They should be told frankly that a whooping sum of 7.7 billion naira is too big to be covered under a mere press statement of 240 words. The sum is too much to be left unaccounted for by a Union which was awaken from self-inflicted slumber by our letter and one which has three years ago abdicated its core responsibilities. This attempt to gag an innocent and law abiding group by the foot soldiers of the leadership of NUEE in Kaduna will fail. 

After their two failed attempts to conscript some individuals to work against the letter the Forum wrote to the General Secretary, NUEE failed woefully, it was not surprising that NUEE has resorted to name calling and cheap black mail. It was rather absurd and absolute bunkum to link the leadership of a faction of NLC to sponsoring the Forum. As an ex- staff whose money was deducted, one is free to independently launch an inquest into the said deduction let alone a conscientious group. The Forum calls on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on NUEE to do the needful instead of chasing shadows. The hallmark of professional journalism lies in fairness, objectivity and balanced reportage. For Daily Trust, wherein lies the above standards? Anyways, our crack team of lawyers have been briefed on this malicious publication accordingly. No Shaking! #SupportAccountabilityInNUEE#

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

Media Adviser to Stanley Ilumah and PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna