‘Vacate our secretariat or face severe confrontation,’ as NURTW, Lagos Park in fresh crisis

Barely days after the Lagos Government brokered peace between warring parties to the crisis at the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leading to the reinstatement of former state chapter chairman, Alhaji Musliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, fresh crisis has emerged at the labour union.

This follows the order by the national body to the Lagos State Park Management Committee, headed by Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede by the NURTW to vacate the National Secretariat of the union ‘immediately or brace for a severe confrontation.’

NURTW also warned Agbede to vacate the complex for its recognised chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa.

The Lagos State Park Management Committee was created by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following the sacking of MC Oluomo as chapter chairman by the NURTW national body in Abuja, even as he subsequently appointed the former as parks management chairman, while also suspending the state’s operations of the labour group.

However, a truce was reached last Friday, when a meeting to resolve the leadership crisis was brokered by the Lagos Government, as sanctions on state’s chapter of the union previously led by MC Oluomo was  lifted and the suspended leader, reinstated.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Transportation by the Union Leaders, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola stated that the State Government has done the needful to ensure a peaceful resolution of the differences between the National Chapter and State Chapter of the Union by lifting the suspension placed on the Union over a year ago.

The Permanent Secretary also commended the executives of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Committee for holding forth, urging the Union to maintain the peace and operate within the ambit of their constitution as they commence the transition back to NURTW.

Lauding the Lagos State Government, Former National President of the Union and Chairman Transition Committee, Alhaji Najeem Yasin applauded the efforts of the State Government and the Ministry in the resolution process. He assured the State Government that the union will continue to be in support of the law and the development of the State.

The reinstated Chairman, Alhaji Akinsanya thanked the State Government and the National EXCO of the NURTW for their support and assured the State of the Lagos Chapter’s cooperation.

The members of the National body present during the visit include; Comrade Aliyu Issa Ore, Alhaji Hassan Haruna and Comrade Kayode Adeyanju while others from the Lagos State Parks and Garages are Alh. Sulaimon Ojora, Comrade Olayiwola, Comrade Ibrahim Yusuf, Shittu Ganiyu, Yinka Hassan, Moshood Omojuwa, Agoro Ismaila and Akeem Tijani Salami.

It would be recalled that crisis rocked the NURTW when its was Lagos chairman, MC Oluomo was accused of anti-union activities and insubordination,

In return, MC Oluomo backed by the Lagos State Government banned NURTW activities in the state, just as it created the Lagos Parks Management Authority, with Oluomo as chairman.

The Lagos chapter also took over the national secretariat of the NURTW in the state through the parks management committee state chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.

Meanwhile, in a fresh development, the NURTW national body has asked Agbede to vacate its property to allow its recognised and ‘legitimately elected’ President, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa to assume office.

The union demands that Agbede and his group vacate the National Secretariat of the union immediately or brace for a severe confrontation.

The ultimatum was delivered in a joint official statement on Sunday in Abuja by Alhaji Ibrahim Sanda Kuje and Alhaji Saliu Adamu, Chairmen of the FCT and Nasarawa State Councils of the union, respectively.

“We have had enough of this illegal occupation,” they stated, signaling a hardening of stance against what the union regards as rampant and unchecked imposture.

The union’s leaders accused Agbede and his supporters of an audacious coup d’état, alleging that he had been installed as the caretaker President of the union, thereby usurping the position of the legitimately elected President, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa.

The union likened the seizure of power to a military overthrow, condemning it as an act that should be universally condemned.

Furthermore, the statement warned Agbede and his group to vacate the union’s national headquarters or face the consequences.

“Toppling of an elected trade union President is similar to a coup d’etat and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians and members of the union.

“The Constitution of the union frowns seriously against the use of any means other than that as prescribed by the constitution to effect a change in any organ of the Union,” the statement read.