The leadership crisis rocking the Delta State Branch of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) took a dramatic turn as the State Caretaker Chairman, Comrade Preye Dietake, declared that her committee remains the only legally constituted leadership in the state, dismissing allegations that its members are “illegal” or “persona non grata.”
Addressing journalists in Asaba, Dietake described recent statements credited to the recently dissolved state executive led by Comrade Henry Adim Okafor as “misleading and without legal foundation,” insisting that the caretaker committee derives its authority from the national leadership headed by Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu.
According to Dietake, the controversy in Delta State is merely a reflection of a larger leadership dispute at the national level, where the National Industrial Court affirmed Bola-Audu as the authentic National President of the union.
“The issues in Delta cannot be separated from what is happening nationally,” he said. “The National Industrial Court has declared Comrade Innocent Bola-Audu the authentic National President. Those following another leadership are doing so without legal backing.”
Dietake maintained that the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the union led by the National President possesses constitutional powers to establish branches and constitute caretaker committees, citing Rule 16 ( i), (v) of the union’s constitution.
“Our committee was lawfully constituted by the National President to administer the affairs of the Delta State chapter for one year and prepare the ground for a state delegates’ conference where democratic elections will be conducted,” she stated.
The caretaker chairman also rejected reports portraying her committee as lacking legitimacy, arguing that such descriptions were intended to mislead members and the public.
“We are not illegal. We are not people of particular concern. We are carrying out a lawful assignment entrusted to us under the constitution of the association,” she declared.
Speaking on the role of the Delta State Government, Dietake said that the government is already acting in compliance with the court judgment by withholding the remittance of check-off dues pending the final resolution of the legal dispute.
According to her, dues that were previously remitted through officials loyal to the rival national leadership are no longer being paid through that channel.
She further claimed that although the opposing faction has repeatedly announced that it had appealed the court judgment, no valid appeal has been perfected.
“The judgment was delivered on April 15, 2026 and the law provides a 90-day window for appeal,” Dietake said. “Simply transmitting the documents of the National Industrial Court to the Court of Appeal does not amount to a valid appeal. There are legal procedures that must be completed, and from what we know, those requirements have not been fulfilled.”
She added that once the statutory period expires without a valid appeal, the caretaker committee would seek enforcement of the judgment through the appropriate legal channels.
“When the appeal period lapses, we will apply for an enforcement order. We believe law enforcement agencies will carry out whatever directives the court issues. We are committed to pursuing only lawful means and have no intention of engaging in any form of physical confrontation,” she said.
Dietake urged members of the association across Delta State to remain calm and continue supporting what she described as the legally recognised caretaker administration while awaiting the delegates’ conference that will usher in an elected executive.
He also called on stakeholders to respect judicial decisions and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions within the union.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the reaction of the rival faction were ongoing at the time of filing this report. Representatives of the opposing group have previously maintained that their leadership remains legitimate and have challenged the claims made by the caretaker committee.
The leadership dispute within ASCSN continues to generate intense interest among members, with many awaiting the final legal outcome that will determine the recognised leadership of the union in Delta State and nationally.
