Court Confirms Removal of AUATON General Secretary, Ibrahim Ayoade – But He Plans to Appeal

The National Industrial Court (NIC) has ruled that the removal of Comrade Ibrahim Ayoade as the General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) was legal. This decision was announced in a statement by Comrade Steven Iwindoye, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Council of the union.

The case, filed by the National Chairman of AUATON, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran, and the union’s leadership, was ruled on by Honourable Justice Emmanuel Subilim. The court confirmed that Ayoade was rightfully removed from his position on March 28, 2024, and no longer has any official role in the union.

Court Orders Ayoade to Stop Claiming He Is Still General Secretary

In addition to upholding his removal, the court issued a permanent order (injunction) preventing Ayoade, his supporters, and any associates from introducing or presenting him as the General Secretary of AUATON in any public or private setting.

The court also ordered Ayoade to publish a public notice in newspapers, on WhatsApp, Twitter (X), and other digital platforms, clearly stating that he is no longer the General Secretary as of March 2024.

AUATON President Reacts – Says Ruling Upholds Union’s Constitution

The National President of AUATON, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran, welcomed the court’s decision, saying it confirms the authority of the union’s constitution and its internal rules. He also criticized attempts to bring Ayoade back, calling them “illegal and morally wrong.”

Adeniran claimed that some people were pushing for Ayoade’s return because they were benefiting from corrupt deals linked to international grants meant for social projects.

Ayoade Fights Back – Files Appeal, Says He’s Still General Secretary

Despite the court’s ruling, Ibrahim Ayoade has appealed the decision, arguing that the judgment ignored key evidence. In a conversation with Technext, Ayoade insisted that he remains the General Secretary until the appeal is decided.

He also stated that he has the right to take his case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. Until then, he believes he is still the legitimate General Secretary.

Ayoade Accuses Opponents of Deceit and Breaking NLC Agreement

Ayoade claimed that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which AUATON is affiliated with, had earlier ordered both sides to withdraw their court cases as part of a reconciliation effort. He obeyed the NLC’s directive and withdrew his case, but Adeniran’s faction did not.

Instead, Ayoade said, the other side published newspaper announcements falsely claiming he had been reinstated. He warned that because of this disobedience to the NLC, the labour union might dissolve AUATON’s leadership and appoint a caretaker committee to manage the union.

How the Crisis Started

The conflict in AUATON began in July 2024, when Ibrahim Ayoade announced a split in the union, declaring himself as Secretary General and naming David Nosa as National President.

Ayoade argued that, under the AUATON constitution, the Adeniran-led executives were no longer legitimate members of the union. This led to his removal as General Secretary by the current leadership.

Although the NLC tried to mediate, the dispute is far from over, especially now that Ayoade has taken the case to the Appeal Court.

Conclusion

The court’s ruling was expected to end the leadership crisis in AUATON, but Ibrahim Ayoade’s appeal means the battle continues. If the NLC steps in, it could lead to a complete overhaul of the union’s leadership, putting AUATON’s future in uncertainty.

For now, the Adeniran-led faction sees the court’s decision as a victory, while Ayoade insists he is still in charge. The final decision may depend on the outcome of the appeal.