The Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has disassociated itself from a statement attributed to its General Secretary, Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, suggesting that airline workers should be free to decide whether to belong to unions, as the aviation unions remain divided over the labour dispute surrounding the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).

President General of ANAP, Comrade Adedayo Alale, said the statement did not represent the position of the association, insisting that ANAP considers itself part of the broader aviation union family and remains committed to solidarity with other unions in the sector.

“That is not the position of ANAP. ANAP, as professionals, we work along with all other aviation unions as a team. We belong to the same family; we belong to the same group. So, whatever happens, it happens to us. That is why they say, ‘injury to one is an injury to all,’” Alale said.

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He said Saidu did not consult the association before granting the interview or releasing the statement, and therefore lacked the mandate to present it as ANAP’s official position.

“Comrade Saidu, as the Secretary-General, did not even consult anybody; he did not even inform anyone before he went ahead and released that speech with the reporter. So, we do not abide by it. That is not our position,” he added.

Alale also said ANAP members participated in the recent picketing by aviation unions, although they did not wear the association’s official attire.

He explained that he was away on another national assignment at the time and could not personally attend the action, but said members of the association were present in solidarity with the other unions.

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Saidu had been quoted as saying that union membership was a voluntary decision for airline workers and that non-membership should not be a reason for disrupting airline operations amid the dispute between aviation unions and airlines over the TSC.

However, Saidu subsequently said he had granted the interview but was misquoted and that his comments had been taken out of context.

He reaffirmed ANAP’s collaboration with other aviation unions in advancing the interests of workers across the industry.

Saidu also apologised to the other unions over what he described as misleading information and the negative image the report had created for ANAP.

The development comes as aviation unions and airline operators continue to negotiate over the five per cent TSC and other labour-related issues, with the Federal Government seeking to prevent further disruptions to flight operations.