Leadership crisis splits Bayelsa TUC
A leadership crisis has erupted in the Bayelsa State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) following the expiration of former State Chairman Mr Julius Laye’s tenure, leading to the
A leadership crisis has erupted in the Bayelsa State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) following the expiration of former State Chairman Mr Julius Laye's tenure, leading to the emergence of two rival factions.
One faction is led by Mr Fefegha Edwin, while the other is headed by Mr Spiff Tobin.
The dispute escalated after the Tobin-led faction warned Edwin and his supporters to stop presenting themselves as leaders of the state's union during a radio programme in Yenagoa.
The faction also appealed to the Bayelsa State Government to intervene in the lingering crisis.
According to the group, a valid election was conducted on January 27, 2026, in line with the union’s constitution, producing an executive council led by Tobin, which it said is the only leadership recognised by the national body of the TUC.
Tobin further alleged that Edwin did not purchase a nomination form for the chairmanship position, claiming he only contested for the office of Public Relations Officer during the election.
Reacting to the allegations, Edwin dismissed claims questioning his legitimacy, insisting that the crisis stemmed from an attempt by the TUC national leadership to impose officials on the state chapter after the previous executive's tenure expired.
He said, "Nobody has the right to call me an imposter. TUC held a congress on 4th December and mandated an election for 5th December, where I was elected by a simple majority. We took the action because we discovered the national body was attempting to impose a delegate list that was lopsided in favour of Pengassan, with 90 delegates, while 10 affiliate unions in the state were allotted just 60 delegates. This shows TUC national is trying to impose a new chairman by hook or crook."
