The leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) escalated on Monday as Tajudeen Baruwa took control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya.
Baruwa, who arrived at the secretariat with supporters from across the country, told journalists that the move was in strict compliance with court rulings that, him as the legitimate president of the union.
He explained that prior notices had been sent to security agencies, alongside copies of the judgments, informing them of the union’s intention to reclaim its office.
According to him, the response from law enforcement authorities was inadequate, prompting a follow-up notice days before the takeover.
“We are not here to cause trouble. We are a law-abiding union whose mission is simply to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us,” Baruwa said.
“This is not a forceful takeover but the execution of court orders after waiting for nearly two years.”
He added that despite tensions, the process remained largely peaceful, although he alleged that members of the opposing faction attacked one of his supporters, who is currently receiving medical attention.
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Also speaking, the union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, accused the rival faction of refusing to vacate the premises despite repeated appeals. He noted that the police had been duly informed of their return to the secretariat.
“We have notified the police that we are returning based on court orders, and we want the public to witness what is happening,” Musa said.
The leadership tussle has lingered for months, following disputes over the emergence of MC Oluomo as president of the union.
However, recent judicial decisions have strengthened Baruwa’s claim.
In suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria affirmed Baruwa as the duly elected president.
The ruling was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on November 8, 2024, in appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024.
A three-member panel led by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, alongside Justices Nnamdi Dimgba and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others aligned with MC Oluomo, describing it as lacking merit.
The court also awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the appellants.
Despite the court-backed development, Baruwa extended an olive branch, expressing willingness to reconcile with the opposing faction while insisting that the rule of law must prevail.
