Tajudeen Baruwa, a claimant to the presidency of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has strongly criticized the inauguration of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the union’s president.
Baruwa argued that the move disregards judicial rulings and the NURTW constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in yesterday in Abuja, Baruwa stated that the National Industrial Court and the Appeal Court had both delivered judgments affirming him as the rightful president of the union.
He claimed that MC Oluomo’s inauguration as a factional president violated these rulings.
“The law-abiding National Executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers were shocked by the news of Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya’s purported inauguration on November 11, 2024.
“This is in direct defiance of the National Industrial Court and Appeal Court judgments delivered on March 11 and November 8, 2024, respectively, which confirmed my election as the legitimate president for a four-year term,” he stated.
Baruwa also accused Najeem Usman Yasin, a former NURTW president, of orchestrating the event and undermining the judiciary.
He described the actions as a “charade” and an affront to democratic institutions.
“We cannot stand by while disgruntled elements hijack our union for their selfish interests. Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, who has completed his two-term tenure, is leading this unlawful interference. His actions not only insult the judiciary but also threaten the integrity of our union,” he added.
Baruwa emphasized that the NURTW constitution guarantees fixed terms for its leaders and called on stakeholders to respect the rule of law to avoid escalating tensions within the union.
“We will therefore not stand idly and watch our union hijacked disgruntle element lead by Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin who have no regard for the rule of law for their selfish interèsts. It is on record that Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin has served out his two tenure of 4 years per term as President of the union.”
