I Remain NURTW President, MC Oluomo Insist After Secretariat Takeover

I Remain NURTW President, MC Oluomo Insist After Secretariat Takeover

The leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) escalated on Monday as Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya insisted he remains the union’s National President despite the reported takeover of its Abuja secretariat by a rival faction.

Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, made the declaration in a statement shared on his Instagram page, describing the development as a “forceful takeover” and maintaining that due legal processes were still ongoing.

His reaction followed an earlier move by Tajudeen Baruwa, who assumed control of the union’s national secretariat, citing court rulings said to have affirmed him as the legitimate president.

However, Akinsanya dismissed the basis of the takeover, stating that he was not a party to the judgment being relied upon.

“The National President wishes to intimate members of the union and the general public that he was not a defendant in the purported judgment. The judgment has been appealed, and a stay of execution has been duly entered,” the statement read.

He added that he had not engaged Baruwa or any other individual involved in the dispute, noting that the matter remains before the courts.

“The situation is under the control of security agencies. Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya remains the National President of NURTW,” he stated.

The union leader also appealed to members to remain calm and law-abiding amid rising tensions.

The development comes shortly after Baruwa and his supporters took over the secretariat in Abuja, claiming their action was in compliance with judgments of the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, which he said upheld his leadership.

Baruwa maintained that his faction had waited nearly two years for enforcement of the court rulings before moving to reclaim the office.

The takeover has further heightened tensions within the union, with reports of clashes between supporters of both factions, even as Baruwa insisted the exercise was carried out peacefully.

The NURTW has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership tussle, with both camps laying claim to the presidency following a series of legal battles and internal disagreements.