The crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has deepened as the suspended Lagos chairman of the union, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has pulled out the state chapter from the national body.
MC Oluomo, in a statement on Thursday said there has been some crisis in NURTW, and that all attempts to have an amicable resolution had 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 immediately withdraw our membership and operation from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State,” he said.
MC Oluomo said they have decided to write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and other relevant agencies about their decision.
According to him, their action was in line with section 40 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended, which provides as follows: “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,” he added.
It would be recalled that MC Oluomo and the National Chairman of the Union, Tajudeen Baruwa have been at loggerheads over control of NURTW.
This led Baruwa to suspend MC Oluomo on Thursday, deepening the crisis.
In a letter signed by the union General Secretary, Kabiru Yau, the union said: “This is to convey to you that in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of the union’s constitution, you have been placed on indefinite suspension from office as State Chairman of Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with effect from March 9, 2021.
“Your suspension is sequel to sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct coupled with your clandestine plans 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 transport body directed MC Oluomo to hand over all its properties in his possession to the state secretary.
It would be also be recalled that MC Oluomo was recently accused of attempting to take over the activities of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN.
RTEAN’s General Secretary, Rhaman Amusan claimed he attempted to take over their areas of operation in Obalende violently.
The incident had led to a shootout between RTEAN and NURTW.