The leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) escalated on Monday as Tajudeen Baruwa assumed control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, effectively dislodging Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
The takeover follows a series of court rulings affirming Baruwa as the union’s legitimate national president.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat shortly after the move, Baruwa, flanked by supporters from across the country, described the action as peaceful and lawful, insisting it was carried out strictly in compliance with judicial directives.
“Today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner. It is not a forceful takeover but simply carrying out the court’s orders,” he said.
Baruwa disclosed that the union had formally notified the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the operation, submitting copies of the court judgments to facilitate a smooth process. However, he expressed disappointment at what he described as the police’s unencouraging response, prompting the issuance of a fresh notice before proceeding.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurances that we are not here to foment trouble. We are a law-abiding union seeking to reclaim what belongs to us,” he added.
He noted that the union had waited nearly two years after securing favorable judgments before physically reclaiming the secretariat, accusing the opposing faction of refusing to comply with court orders.
“Our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court. We resumed today without violence,” Baruwa stated.
He further alleged that one member of his faction was attacked and hospitalized during the process, though he said the situation remained under control. Baruwa also reiterated openness to reconciliation, stressing that “no one is above the law.”
General Secretary Suleiman Musa backed Baruwa’s claims, accusing those previously occupying the premises of defying repeated calls to vacate despite court rulings.
“We notified the police that, based on court orders, we are returning to our office. We are glad journalists are here to witness this,” Musa said.
The takeover is anchored on two key judicial decisions. The National Industrial Court, in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 presided over by Justice O.O. Oyewumi, affirmed Baruwa as the duly elected president of the union.
That decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on November 8, 2024, in appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024. The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by loyalists of MC Oluomo — including Najeem Usman Yasin and Tajudeen Agbede — as lacking merit and awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the appellants.
The three-member panel, comprising Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, upheld the earlier ruling delivered on March 11, 2024, effectively bringing judicial finality to a protracted leadership dispute that has stalled the union’s national operations for years.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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