NURTW Crisis: Baruwa’s Deputy, Agbede, Pitch Tent With MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, is yet to abate, as the Union has remained polarized following the crisis that led to the suspension of Lagos State NURTW Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.

This has seen the Union having many factions that have been aligning and realigning with the National Body and those that have angrily denounced the Union.

Tajudeen Baruwa, the National Chairman of the Union is presently in the eye of storm as his Deputy, Tajudeen Agbede; a former National Trustee of NURTW, Alhaji Alamu Otegbeye,  and other past and present leaders of the Union have thrown their weights behind MC Oluomo and his loyalists over their decision to withdraw their membership from the national body.

Agbede accused the Baruwa- led National Secretariat of creating problems in Lagos Chapter by meddling into its affairs.

According to Agbede, a former Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NURTW, “The constitution allows the State Council to run the affairs of the state. It is the duty of the state secretary to give official monthly reports of activities of the state to the national Secretariat. But under this regime, the president (Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa) wants to know and oversee Lagos State. The President has no business about how inauguration of branches and zones are being done.”

He stressed that the tricycles and motorcycles’ operators are under the state council from inception, that changing the narratives was the major cause of the imbroglio.

He added that: “On the issue of Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN), the state chairman has the right to divide the TOOAN of NURTW into zones. I did similar thing during my tenure to Okada riders’ union otherwise called Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS). When I came, it was one body under Comrade Tijani Pekis, but I divided it into zones without any interference from the national headquarters. It is within the powers of the state chairman to create, divide and expand to enhance administrative convenience.”

He  also accused his Boss of neglecting the structures of the Union in going about his official duties.

“Another mistake made by the National Headquarters is the neglect of the strictures. I am the National Vice President in charge of Southwest, but the headquarters don’t involve me in any issue going in my zone. It is not appropriate. Let us learn to do things appropriately. The president should let the state council be. Whatever information he needs should be given to him by the state secretary through monthly reports,” he stated.

On the part of Otegbeye, who is also Special Adviser to National President, he said leaders of the union won’t allow Baruwa to destabilise the state council, promising to join other leaders to expel anyone hobnobbing with Baruwa to destroy the Lagos State Council.

In the same vein, the Former National Head of Women Affairs, Comrade Bola Lemboye said the elders are backing Akinsanya’s action.

“We don’t want crisis in Lagos State. We won’t allow what happen in Ogun State to repeat itself in Lagos. We are peaceful people,” she said.

The pioneer Chairman of NURTW in Lagos State, Comrade Samuel Jonah, urged Baruwa to be guided by the union’s constitution in his action.

Jonah described as unfortunate the action of the national body.

According to him, the administration of Akinsanya has been peaceful since coming on board.

Former NURTW Lagos State Council Chairman Alhaji Alao Adewuyi accused Baruwa of not respecting elders in the union.

Adewuyi warned those fraternising with him to destabilise Lagos to desist or face the music.

“We cannot allow a peaceful atmosphere we’re enjoying now be truncated because of selfish agenda of some people. We support actions taken by Akinsanya and members of the union in the state,” he said.

It would be recalled that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu of Lagos State had suspended NURTW activities in the State for Security and safety of lives and properties.

However, there was speculation that the NURTW in Lagos is still selling tickets at motor parks and garages, despite the suspension of all activities by the national body and Governor Sanwo Olu.

It was rumoured that MC Oluomo had remained defiant instructing union members to continue operations, as a circular was alleged to have emanated from him that activities should continue.

“This is to formally inform all NURTW Chairmen and entire members to operate your day to day union activities at the various motor parks & garages.

“Disregard any patrol policemen parading themselves to disrupt your union operations.”

The notice advised that any disruption of activities by police be reported to the leadership “for rectification”.

Debunking the allegations, MC Oluomo issued an update denying that he authorized the sale of NURTW tickets.

He made clarifications that the ones being sold belong to the Lagos government.

“I am a law-abiding citizen. I have never authorised the sale of union tickets”, he noted.

“Lagos State tickets issued (are) being sold at all the parks and garages. I cannot stop the sales of government tickets. I don’t even have such powers”, the statement reads.