By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has condemned what he described as the “forceful invasion” of the union’s National Secretariat in Abuja by a rival faction led by Mr. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa.
In an official statement issued on Monday, Akinsanya assured members of the powerful transport union and the general public that he remains the legitimate national president of the organisation despite the development.
The NURTW leader clarified that he was not a party to the court judgement allegedly used to justify the takeover and disclosed that the judgement is already being challenged at the appellate court.
“I want to make it very clear that I was not a defendant in the said judgement being relied upon by Mr. Baruwa and his group,” Akinsanya stated.
He added: “We have already filed an appeal against the judgement and a stay of execution has been duly entered. Therefore, any action taken on the basis of that judgement while legal processes are ongoing is premature and unacceptable.”
Akinsanya also distanced himself from any negotiation or meeting with Baruwa, noting that he has deliberately avoided any engagement because the matter remains subjudice.
“As a law-abiding citizen and a responsible leader, I have not engaged Mr. Baruwa or anyone connected to this matter because the issues are still before competent courts of law,” he said.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the NURTW president further revealed that security agencies have been fully briefed about the situation and are already taking steps to ensure law and order around the national secretariat.
According to him, “The relevant security agencies are aware of the situation and I have confidence in their capacity to maintain peace and protect the integrity of our union.”
The development is the latest twist in the protracted leadership dispute within the NURTW, a union widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential transport bodies with significant grassroots political influence across many states.
Industry observers note that leadership contests within the union often attract national attention because of NURTW’s strategic role in the transport sector and its historical involvement in political mobilization.
Despite the tension, Akinsanya appealed for calm among members nationwide, warning against any form of violence or actions capable of tarnishing the image of the union.
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“I appeal to all our members across the country to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding. NURTW is a disciplined organisation and we must not allow anybody to drag our name into crisis,” he said.
He emphasized that the leadership of the union under him remains intact and fully functional.
“Let me assure our members that I remain the National President of NURTW. The structure of the union remains strong and our operations across the country continue without disruption,” Akinsanya added.
He also urged members to continue their daily activities without fear, assuring them that the leadership crisis would be resolved through lawful means.
“We must allow the rule of law to prevail. I urge all members to go about their lawful duties and continue to maintain peace and order in their respective zones,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Baruwa’s camp regarding the claims made by the NURTW national president, while efforts by journalists to obtain reactions from other stakeholders in the union were ongoing.
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The situation is expected to attract further legal and administrative attention in the coming days as both factions continue to assert their claims to the leadership of the union.
