The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has rejected the Osun State Government’s suspension of its activities, insisting that Governor Ademola Adeleke lacks the constitutional authority to halt the union’s operations.
The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun pending the resolution of the leadership crisis within 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 follows the Osun State Government’s decision to suspend the union’s activities in motor parks after violent clashes between rival factions.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, also suspended the collection of levies in motor parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading as a union official.
The crisis escalated after supporters of a faction led by Oyewale protested against the leadership of the state NURTW Chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle, with the demonstration degenerating into violence and gunfire in Osogbo.
Reacting, NURTW National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, said no state government has the legal authority to suspend the activities of the union.
Represented by Deputy National President Aliyu Ore, Akinsanya argued that the union was established by law and had previously secured favourable court judgments against similar actions by state governments.
He said the caretaker committee became necessary to provide leadership in Osun, especially ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
Ore added that the union has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials, making it necessary to maintain an operational leadership in the state.
The 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.
In his acceptance speech, Oyewale pledged to uphold the constitution of both the country and the union while promising reforms in the administration of the Osun chapter.
