The national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has rejected the Osun State Government’s suspension of the union’s activities, insisting that the state government lacks the constitutional authority to halt its operations.
According to Punch report, the union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun State pending the resolution of the leadership crisis affecting the state chapter.
The committee, chaired by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, was inaugurated on Friday at the union’s national headquarters in Garki, Abuja.
The development followed the Osun State Government’s suspension of NURTW activities in motor parks across the state after violent clashes involving rival factions of the union.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, announced the suspension as part of efforts to restore order and strengthen public security.
It also suspended the collection of levies in motor parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading as an official or executive of the union.
The government’s action came after a violent confrontation in Osogbo when supporters of a faction led by Oyewale protested against the leadership of the state NURTW Chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle. The protest later turned violent, with gunshots causing panic among residents.
Speaking at the inauguration, the union’s National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, who was represented by the Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, maintained that no state governor has the legal authority to suspend the activities of the union.
Ore said the NURTW had been without functional leadership in Osun State in recent months despite repeated invitations and letters sent to the state leadership, which were not honoured.
He said the union could not allow its activities to continue without leadership on the ground, adding that the decision to constitute a caretaker committee became necessary after the union learnt of the state government’s suspension of its activities.
According to him, the NURTW was established by an Act of law and is not under the control of any state government, noting that the union had previously secured court victories in similar disputes involving state governments.
Ore further said the caretaker committee was inaugurated to provide leadership for the union in Osun, particularly ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
He disclosed that the union has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials and said the committee would ensure the union remained operational while efforts continue to resolve the leadership dispute in the state.
The newly inaugurated caretaker committee comprises Kazeem Oyewale as Chairman, Sunday Oludare as Secretary, Lukman Ahmed as Treasurer, while Ismaila Abdurahim, Adebayo Tajudin, Tajudin Akin and Ayinde Mutiu will serve as members.
Ore said the committee would oversee the affairs of the union in Osun State until the leadership crisis is resolved.
In his acceptance speech, Oyewale pledged to reposition the union, expressing optimism that his leadership would bring positive changes to its administration.
He also promised to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of the union while carrying out his responsibilities.