A fresh twist has emerged in the leadership crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), as Tajudeen Baruwa has taken control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, effectively displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo.
The development follows a series of court decisions that have continued to reshape the leadership structure of the powerful transport union.
Baruwa arrived at the secretariat on Monday with supporters drawn from different parts of the country. His entry marked a significant moment in the prolonged dispute that has split the union into rival factions.
Addressing journalists shortly after gaining access to the facility, he insisted that his action was in strict compliance with court rulings that recognised his leadership.
He explained that the union had earlier written to the Nigerian Police, attaching certified copies of the judgments, to enable a smooth and lawful return to the secretariat.
According to him, the response from security authorities fell short of expectations, despite assurances that the process would remain peaceful.
Baruwa said, “Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belonged to them.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders.
“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume back at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are.
“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organization and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law.”
Despite the tension surrounding the takeover, Baruwa maintained that his group remains committed to peace and reconciliation, stressing that the union has no intention of causing unrest.
Supporting his position, the union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, stated that all necessary steps had been taken before the move to reclaim the secretariat. He noted that repeated appeals to those occupying the building had been ignored.
Musa stated, “We have notified the police that, on the order of the court, we are coming back to our office today, and we are glad that journalists are here to witness it so that the world will know what is going on here.”
The dispute over the NURTW leadership has been in court for months, with Baruwa consistently challenging moves that led to the emergence of MC Oluomo as president. The legal battle reached a turning point after both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal delivered judgments affirming Baruwa’s position.
In an earlier ruling in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, Justice O.O. Oyewumi of the National Industrial Court declared Baruwa as the duly elected President of the union. The decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in a judgment delivered on November 8 in the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024.
The appellate court affirmed the lower court’s verdict delivered on March 11, 2024, which recognised Baruwa’s leadership. A three-member panel comprising Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi dismissed the appeal filed by Najeem Usman Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and other loyalists of MC Oluomo, describing it as lacking merit.
The court also imposed a cost of N100,000 against the appellants, reinforcing its stance on the matter and effectively strengthening Baruwa’s claim to the presidency of the union.
The appellants in the case included Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Alhaji Aliyu Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alhaji Alhassan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, and Alhaji Hakeem Adeosun.
On the other side were Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Usman, Suleiman Adamu, and Odion Olaye JP, who were listed as respondents.
