Civil society organizations in the water justice space express support for the new national executives of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE)
By Edu Abade
The water justice community in Nigeria have congratulated the newly sworn in national executives of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) led by National president, Comrade Eugene Manji, describing their election as a genuine reflection of the yearning of members of the union and Nigerians for purposeful leadership.
Comrade Manji was elected at the seventh National Delegates Conference of the AUPCTRE held between September 23 and September 24, 2026 in Kano State.
Those elected along with Manji are the National Deputy Presidents-Comrade Uzu Fidelis and Comrade Ibrahim Kirfi; National Vice President, Central Zone -Comrade Umaja Aloysius; National Vice President, Federal Zone-Comrade Adoga Abdullahi; National Vice President, Western Zone-Comrade Adebayo Adedoyin; National Vice President, South-South Zone-Comrade Joman Bernard; National Vice President, Eastern Zone-Comrade Bashir Chibuzo; National Vice President, North-West Zone-Comrade Samaila Abdullahi; and National Vice President, North-East Zone-Comrade Moses Helda.
Others are the National Treasurer-Comrade Farotimi Olusoji; National Secretary Finance-Comrade Rabiu Abdulrahman; and National Auditors-Comrade Rashila Alkali and Comrade Nnamachi Anthony.
The supervision of the election was done by the Registrar of Trade Unions, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment.
Reacting to AUPCTRE’s successful transition of leadership, civil society groups and faith-based organizations said the new executive of the union represents a breath of fresh air and pledged to work with them to challenge privatization and uphold the rights of workers and Nigerian citizens to quality public services.
Executive Director of Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF), Comrade Sani Baba said, “We are elated about the election outcomes. Comrade Manji has been in the trenches for years challenging impunity in the delivery of public services.
As they mount the saddle, we believe that his team will inject vigor into the campaign against water privatisation and other public utilities and also sustain the peace and harmonious relationship between the union and civil society.”
Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor said, “The election of Comrade Manji and his team is well deserved. We are witnesses to how he has campaigned vigorously against the privatisation of water and other public utilities in Plateau State where he was state chairman of AUPCTRE.
“This good news is coming at a time that accountability and affordable access to public services is being systematically replaced with profit-driven motives that continue to burden low-income communities across Nigeria.”
Echoing the same argument, Coordinator of Ecumenical Water Network Africa, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi said, ”We believe the new leadership of AUPCTRE led by Comrade Manji will continue to challenge the culture of successive governments that have turned essential human services into profit-driven commodities thus violating their moral obligation of equity and charity.”
On his part, Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Chima Williams said, ”We congratulate AUPCTRE and the new leadership for a rancour free election which also exemplifies Comrade Manji’s leadership style. We anticipate he will continue agitating for transparent, efficient, and equitable public services that meet basic standards of welfare, safety and dignity.”
Also responding, Executive Director of Child Health Organisation, Lady Vicky Onyekuru said, ”The election of Comrade Manji and his team is an exciting development at this crucial time. He has been an advocate of people over profits and we anticipate he will continue to advocate against policies that disproportionately affect women and other vulnerable classes in our society.”
The seventh National Delegates Conference of AUPCTRE was attended by a host of government and labour dignitaries including representatives of Kano, Bauchi and Plateau State Governors, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), President of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Also in attendance were Daniel Oberko, of Public Services International (PSI) Regional Secretary and Badru Moradeke and the PSI Project Coordinator, among others.
