By John ODHE, YENAGOA
Leadership crisis is plaguing the Bayelsa State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) which is an affiliate union to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
Since the expiration of the tenure of Mr. Julius Laye as State chairman of the TUC, the union in Bayelsa has been engrossed in leadership tussle, parading two factional state chairmen.
While one faction is led by Comrade Fefegha Edwin, another is being led by Comrade Spiff Tobin.
The situation got messier at the when the Spiff Tobin-led faction went live on radio in Yenagoa, the state capital, Fefegha and his team to stop parading themselves as TUC leaders in Bayelsa State.
They also called on the state government, led by Governor Douye Diri, to intervene in the ongoing leadership crisis within the union.
They alleged that a valid election was conducted on January 27, 2026, in accordance with its constitution, producing an executive council led by Comrade Spiff Tobin, whom it described as the only leadership recognized by the by the national body of the TUC.
Tobin further alleged that Mr. Fefegha Edwin, who is laying claim to the chairmanship position, did not purchase a nomination form for the office, adding that Edwin only contested for the position of Public Relations Officer during the election.
Also speaking on the programme, the factional State Secretary, Comrade Ogidikpe Ebipreye Selina and Comrade Anengimo Jonah who claimed to be the State electoral committee insisted that the electoral process that produced the current leadership strictly followed due process as stipulated in the union’s constitution.
They jointly called on the Bayelsa State government to step in and ensure fairness and justice in resolving the dispute.
Meanwhile, callers who participated in the live programme, including the immediate past TUC chairman, Comrade Laye Julius, and human rights activist, Comrade David West, advised aggrieved parties to seek legal redress at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria if they are confident in the legitimacy of their claims.
During the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, our correspondent observed that it was Fefegha Edwin who appeared with the NLC chairman, Comrade Barnabas Solomon to present a joint address the to State governor, Senator Douye Diri.
