The leadership crisis rocking the Otovwodo Motor Park in Ughelli, Delta State, took a dramatic turn at the weekend as the Delta State Administrative Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) announced the suspension of the park’s executive committee, citing gross constitutional violations.
The suspension, contained in an official memo dated July 16, 2025, with reference number NURTW/DTSC/A6/VOL 3/214, was signed by the state Chairman and National Trustee of the union, Chief Francis Arhiyor.
The NURTW said the unit executives were suspended in breach of Article 42, Section 6 (i–iv) of the union’s constitution, particularly the unit’s failure to exhaust internal conflict-resolution mechanisms before approaching the National Industrial Court.
“In line with Article 17, Section 2 sub-sections 15 and 16 (g), which empowers the state council to discipline officers for acts prejudicial to the union’s interest, the Otovwodo unit executives stand suspended effective Friday, August 1, 2025,” the memo stated.
Among those suspended are Comrade Godspower Oharisi (acting chairman), Arthur Asaboro (secretary), Stanley, Henry Omobaye, Ese Ugbogu, and over a dozen other top officials.
The union has constituted a seven-man caretaker committee headed by Chief Itobore Tony to oversee the affairs of the park for an initial period of three months.
The move is coming less than 24 hours after the suspended executive staged a peaceful protest at the park against the state chairman.
During the demonstration, Oharisi described the planned imposition of a caretaker committee as contempt of court, noting that the matter was already before a competent court of jurisdiction.
“We have taken this matter to court and will not accept any backdoor manoeuvre. Ariyo should stick to his earlier position and allow the judicial process to conclude,” Oharisi warned.
Supporting his stance, Omobaye accused the state chairman of partisanship and bias, alleging that Chief Arhiyor was making attempts to reinstate the former Chairman, Solomon Eshareive, who had been expelled for alleged financial misconduct.
Other members of the park’s leadership, including Stanley Omobaye and Arthur Asaboro, expressed fears that the forced installation of a caretaker committee could lead to instability, warning that the executives remain united and would resist external interference.
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In contrast, the state council insists that the suspended executives violated constitutional procedures and acted contrary to the union’s internal dispute resolution processes.
Article 42 section 8(1)(iv) of the union’s constitution reportedly prohibits members from initiating legal action without first exhausting internal mechanisms, a clause the council claims was ignored.
Members of the appointed caretaker committee include Chief Itobore Tony (chairman), Comrade Oshimishere Ayoro (secretary), and others drawn from both the unit and state level.
They are tasked with restoring order and coordinating the park’s operations during the transition period.
The resolution has been circulated to the secretary to the state government, law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and traditional rulers to ensure compliance and prevent escalation.
