Police place Area Commanders, DPOs on alert in Lagos, as NURTW suspends MC Oluomo as state chairman

Following the suspension of the Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, as the Lagos Chapter chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by its national body, the Lagos Police Command has placed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) on security alert in the state.

Akinsanya was suspended by the NURTW national body, Thursday, for what the transport union described as his ‘sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct.’

In a letter sent to the transport union’s Lagos chapter chairman, on Thursday, the NURTW accused Akinsanya of planning ‘to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on any branch or branches of the union in Lagos state that refuses to obey your order or instructions not to accept directives from the national headquarters of the Union.’

The NURTW which disclosed that it had earlier queried Akinsanya on two occasions in February and March, this year, over his conduct but while he ‘bluntly neglected/refuse to respond to the second query,’ the union said MC Oluomo’s response to the first query ‘was unsatisfactory.’

The union in the letter addressed to Akinsanya and dated March 9, consequently resolved to suspend him ‘after it became obvious that MC Oluomo was not apologetic over his actions even after he was directed to explain reasons for embarking on such.’

Akinsanya has also been directed to ‘hand over the mantle of leadership of the Lagos State Council to the State Deputy Chairman and also surrender all Union properties in your possession to the State Secretary of the Union forthwith.’

However, Akinsanya had earlier accused the national body of ‘unnecessarily interfering in the state affairs.’

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the Lagos State commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, has directed all area commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to beef up security and maintain visibility in their area of coverage.

The state police boss, said, Thursday, that a directive has been given on the deployment and patrol of all motor parks across the country, as he assured Lagos residents of adequate security of life and property.

The Lagos police chief said the directive for formations to beef up security was necessary to curb any form of violence that may arise.

UPDATE: Akinsanya withdraws state chapter from NURTW, asks Lagos Govt to take over motor parks

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) has pulled out his branch from the national body of the transport workers union.

The move follows his suspension from the NURTW over offences said to border on misconduct, even as Akinsanya accused the main body of meddling in the affairs of the state chapter.

A statement personally signed by him confirming the withdrawal of his state chapter from the NURTW, Thursday, Akinsanya said the decision was informed by the need to ensure ‘peace and tranquility’ in Lagos.

Akinsanya further called on the ‘Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state,’ in the interest of ‘peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.’

The full statement:

“There has been some crisis in our umbrella body, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“All attempts to have an amicable resolution have failed. In fact. we have protested to the Lagos State Government about the State of affairs in our Union.

“Being a law abiding and responsible citizens, we have decided to explore all avenues for peace in the interest of all, we will not support any action that can threaten the peace that we cherish so much in Lagos State.

“Therefore, I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, on behalf of the State Administrative Council (SAC), State Executive Council (SEC) members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council with over 200 Branches and Zones hereby resolve to:

1) immediate withdraw of our membership and operation from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State.

2) Write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and other relevant agencies about our decision.

“It is important to state that our action is in line with section 40 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended, which provides as follows:

a) Every person shall be entitled to assembly freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his or her interests. This means that every person shall be entitled to join an association and exit freely without molestation.

“In view of this and the crisis at hand, Lagos State Government is hereby invited to consider its white paper on Transport Union activities, 2004 section 5C, which states that the Government should take over the management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until such is resolved by the consultative committee.

“We hereby call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state, thereby ensuring peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.

“Alhaji (Dr) Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya and the entire members of the Union in Lagos State,” read the statement in full.