The Chairman of Arapapo Olori Odo Aworiland, Hon. Ganiu Akinwande, has affirmed the support of Awori indigenes for the re-election of Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) state chairman.
In a statement titled “Lagos NURTW: The stand of the Awori people,” Hon. Akinwande applauded the peaceful re-election of MC Oluomo, praising his exceptional leadership and the confidence placed in him by transport workers and the state government.
Expressing the Awori people’s commitment to the socio-economic development of Lagos, Hon. Akinwande highlighted MC Oluomo’s efforts in driving the union’s activities aligned with the state’s smart city agenda.
He noted the achievements of NURTW under MC Oluomo’s leadership, lauding their contribution to maintaining orderliness, peace, and socioeconomic growth in Lagos.
However, he raised concerns about the potential disruption in the leadership structure due to ambitions for the chairman’s seat. Stressing the need to follow the union’s constitution to fill the position, Hon. Akinwande called on the state government to intervene to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Hon. Akinwande lamented the marginalisation of Awori indigenes in sensitive political positions in Lagos, stressing the need to protect the single leadership position given to the Awori within NURTW.
He appealed for a peaceful resolution, urging support for MC Oluomo in the final phase of his tenure as the State Chairman of Lagos NURTW. Additionally, he dismissed attributed comments to respected monarch HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, expressing confidence in the monarch’s support for their cause.
Hon. Akinwande urged government officials, stakeholders, monarchs, and individuals to intervene and ensure fairness to prevent the marginalisation of the Awori people.
The statement stressed the Awori people’s unwavering support for MC Oluomo and called for equitable solutions to the matter at hand.
He said: “NURTW, under the qualitative leadership of MC Oluomo, has recorded remarkable feats, most of which are unprecedented in the history of Lagos State.
“From the smooth running of the union’s day-to-day affairs to ensuring orderliness, peace and esprit de corps among members, and also steadily contributing to the socioeconomic growth of our dear centre of excellence. This is our interest and we will ensure it is protected.
“The possibility of MC Oluomo taking up a leadership position at the National body has seemingly brought about a crack in the leadership structure in Lagos NURTW and this is being spearheaded by the incumbent treasurer, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle aka Sego who has begun putting himself forward for the number one leadership seat in Lagos.
“In a situation like this, the constitution of the union is explicitly clear on what needs to be done to fill the chairmanship seat. It’s for the Deputy chairman to step up or the chairman to use his prerogative.
“As concerned sons of Awori who have the mandate of other Awori indigenes to comment on this matter, we call on the state government and other powers-that-be to call Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle to order to forestall the likely breakdown of law and order in the state.
“We’ve observed with keen interest how Awori was deliberately excluded from the sensitive political positions in the state. Who gets unfairly marginalised in their own state? Of the 57 LGA and LCDA chairmen in Lagos, only a handful are Aworis. Ditto for the commissioners and other appointees holding key positions. This is another reason why we won’t fold our arms to allow our rights to be trampled upon.
“The chairmanship seat of the NURTW position is the only leadership position given to Awori, and it will be a slap to our face and our ancestors if we allow it to be taken from us with sheer mischief-making and grandstanding by uncouth elements.”
“As law-abiding indigenes of Lagos and individuals who believe in the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, we want a peaceful resolution, one that will promote equity and fairness and afford MC Oluomo the support he deserves in the final lap of his term in office as the State Chairman of Lagos NURTW.
“Also on the matter of the stance mischievously attributed to the respected Monarch, HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, a revered Awori monarch whom we all hold in the highest esteem.
“Over the years, he has proven his worth as a man of integrity, honour and valor who wouldn’t comment against the wishes of his people. We don’t believe the comment attributed to him on this matter as we believe that we have his backing in, advancing our fair cause.
“Our stance is clear, we won’t give room for imposition. The sons and daughters of Awori are solidly behind MC Oluomo on this cause and we want an equitable resolution to the matter at hand.”
