AUATON says suspension of factional Rivers chairman Lawrencia Ogu not a witchhunt

The Rivers state council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has described the suspension of the factional chairman of the council, Comrade Lawrencia Ogu, as constitutional and not a witchhunt. This was disclosed to Technext by the chairman of the council, Comrade Amos Omoruyi.

Lawrencia Ogu, a former secretary of the council, declared herself the Acting Chairman, while accusing the executive officers, including the Chairman, Amos Omoruyi, of financial misappropriation. This essentially factionalised the state council, one of the offences that led to her suspension by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).

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Asked during a chat with Technext whether the suspension wasn’t a case of using his connections at the national level to oust a rival at the local level, Comrade Omoruyi said this was far from the case. According to him, the suspension was the outcome of the union’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms.

“No one is using connections here. I am simply abiding by the laid-down procedures of the union. The actions taken so far are outcomes of efforts to exhaust all internal conflict-resolution mechanisms. The NEC resolution reached on Saturday is part of that process,” Comrade Omoruyi said.

Comrade Amos Omoruyi

He further explained that the union operates through a clear structure, a hierarchy which climbs from the state, up to the zonal, and finally the national level. As such, every issue is expected to follow due process within these channels.

Why the AUATON suspended Lawrencia Ogu

In 2025, Lawrencia Ogu, then secretary of the AUATON in Rivers state, dissociated herself from the executive body after accusing its members of financial misappropriation. Declaring herself the chairman, she would go on to carry out presidential duties, including calling for meetings, leading protests, and representing the state council at official events.

The NEC announced her indefinite suspension on Saturday, April 25. According to the suspension letter signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Alice Odibo, Esq, seen by Technext, the NEC said it was acting on its disciplinary powers as enshrined in Article 24 (A), (B) and (C), and Article 30 of the union’s constitution.

The letter stipulated that Comrade Ogu Lawrencia Chioma was suspended on “allegations of spreading false information about the union, gross abuse and breach of the constitution, anti-union activities, and factionalisation of the union.”

The matter has also been referred to a reconstituted Disciplinary Committee.

Asked whether the national council has the power to punish a state executive member, Comrade Omoruyi said the decision of the NEC is in line with the union’s constitutional provisions and established processes.

“The NEC has the authority to discipline any member of the union, regardless of position, including even the National President if necessary. So, the suspension falls within its powers and should be respected as part of maintaining order and accountability within the union,” he said.

Lawrencia Chioma Ogu

He also announced the immediate removal of Comrade Lawrencia Ogu from all union platforms and activities within the state, pending the outcome of the report of the National Disciplinary Committee to the National Executive Council.

He further advised all members of the union and the general public to refrain from engaging with her on any matters concerning the union henceforth.

However, on April 30, Comrade Ogu was at a Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) pre-May Day Leadership Training in Port Harcourt, where she launched five books as the Acting Chairman of the Rivers state council.