Tension is boiling at Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) Warri as members of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) gear up for industrial action over what they describe as the “diversion” of their monthly check-off dues to an unknown account.
Sources within the union, speaking under anonymity, revealed that the state chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Charles Enegide, allegedly blocked the remittance of dues from the Warri chapter via the Delta State Accountant General’s office, despite appeals and resolutions.
Controversy erupted after Comrade Enegide suspended the Comrade Ikpen-led Warri executive for failing to remit dues for a month. Though the issue was reportedly resolved—dues paid and an apology tendered—Enegide allegedly refused reconciliation efforts, including stakeholder intervention at the union’s Asaba headquarters.
In a dramatic turn, Enegide is said to have unilaterally installed a caretaker committee, sparking rejection from the Warri chapter. He is further accused of vowing to redirect the dues to another account, a move unionists claim is unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Stakeholders have escalated the matter to RATTAWU’s national leadership, but no response has been received amid claims that the national president shares close ties with Enegide.
Frustrated union members now threaten protests if their dues are not returned and the chapter’s autonomy restored.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) DBS Warri Chapel and the disputed RATTAWU caretaker committee have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the DBS management to fix failing broadcast infrastructure—or face a strike that could shut down operations.
