The Dockworkers, Seafarers and the Nigerian Ports Authiority ( NPA) branches of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ( MWUN) have unanimously declared support for Comrade Francis Bunu as the next President General of the Union, come March 28, 2025.
Delegates from the dockworkers and seafarers branches, led by Presidents Tajudeen Ohize and Sunday Avoshe also officially presented Comrade Bunu to the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju for his endorsement.
Speaking at a joint campaign by the two branches in Lagos on Friday, Dockworkers President, Comrade Tajudeen Ohize said dockworkers are fully in support of Bunu as the next president general for continuity of transformation of the Union.
He noted that past elections have been marred by divisions and conflicts, but this time, the dockworkers and seafarers have come together to support a leader who prioritizes the welfare of workers.
He said, “In past elections, we normally have problems. This problem is that we don’t come together to choose a leader. It is fight today, hooliganism and thuggery before we choose a leader.
“This time around I want to reassure you all that we are not a selfish group and we will abide by the constitution of MWUN.
“The dockworkers have been on this seat for three times. NPA has been there once but seafarers and shipping have not been there. So between the two branches, we decide to support someone from the seafarers’ branch who is comrade Bunu and who we believe is capable of handling the leadership of the Union.
“He has the same character with the PG in terms of welfare of workers and he has empathy. He is also accessible that is why we accepted him as a leader that we can follow.”
Ohize urged the delegates to canvass for support from other branches, assuring that the election would be devoid of tribal sentiments.
Also speaking, President of the Seafarers branch, Comrade Sunday Avoshe expressed confidence that the seafarers branch will stand behind comrade Bunu as the next President General.
He praised Bunu’s leadership qualities, highlighting his ability to transform the Seafarers branch into a formidable force within the union when he served as President.
According to him, under Comrade Bunu’s leadership, the branch was able to negotiate significant salary increases for its members, with some earning as much as N1.4 million per month.
Comrade Avoshe emphasized that Comrade Bunu’s commitment to the welfare of workers is unparalleled, and that he is the right person to take the helm of the union.
“The whole essence of trade unionism is to fight for the well-being of the workers. Anybody that does not have that grace and quality is not fit to lead.That’s just the truth. And if you look at Bunu, he is a welfarist.
“Before Bunu took over the Seafarers branch, our branch was the least numerical. Because they even look at us as liability.But by the time Bunu took over as president, in eight years, there was a mighty turnaround. And as I speak to you today, even after I took over for him, following after his footsteps, the foundation he laid today, in this country, an AB is earning a salary of 1.4 million Naira per month, ” he said.
On his part, Deputy President General of MWUN, Comrade Harry Tonye who spoke on behalf of the NPA branch said the workers are solidly behind Bunu’s bid to run for the seat of the President General of the union.
Harry described Bunu as a consistent individual who always prioritize workers welfare.
While noting that nobody from NPA Branch of the union has indicated interest to contest against Bunu, Harry expressed the commitment of the Adeyanju-led administration to ensure that the President General slot is rotational among the four branches of the Union.
His words, “We want somebody that can do even better than the incumbent and Bunu has the capacity to improve on what is on ground.”
Responding, incumbent President General Comrade Adewale Adeyanju urged the delegates to support a candidate that will continue his legacies and reforms of the Union, noting that there should be no tribal sentiments in their choice of candidate.
“I will support a candidate who will continue from where the baton stops. Someone who will give the Union a facelift better than what we have achieved today and unite the four branches,” he said.
Adeyanju said leadership is about all learning and commitment,noting that the system required someone that is dedicated and hardworking.
For the branch presidents election, Adeyanju urged the delegates to support vibrants and dedicated aspirants with leadership skills who will support the next President General.
