[UPDATED] Confusion in Abuja as NIPOST Workers Lock out New CEO

A pall of confusion engulfed the headquarters of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, Abuja, Monday morning, when workers shut the gate to the complex to protest the appointment of Ms.Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Postmaster-General by President Bola Tinubu.

The angry workers effectively locked out Ms. Odeyemi, saying that the appointment was inappropriate and against their wish.

But Labour buffs insist that hiring and firing remain the prerogative of the employer; in this case the Federal Government.

The Crest recalled that Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, last week, announced that President Bola Tinubu had changed the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST.

But shortly after the announcement of Odeyemi’s appointment, there were surfeit of reports in social media that Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju, the erstwhile Postmaster-General, had been reinstated.

Indeed, Adepoju appeared in a viral video where he was seen addressing some workers who claimed that President Tinubu had reappointed him.

Earlier on Friday, a statement purportedly issued by NIPOST had also made the rounds in which Adepoju allegedly maintained that President Bola Tinubu had reappointed him as Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned Rt. Honourable Adeyemi Sunday Adepoju as the Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), citing Adepoju’s sterling leadership and excellent performance during his stay in office as the reason for his reinstatement,” NIPOST reportedly declared in the statement.

The pall of confusion subsisted at the time of this update and the Presidency was yet to clear the air on the matter.