Baruwa takes control of NURTW secretariat, unseats MC Oluomo

The leadership crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has taken a new turn, as Tajudeen Baruwa has assumed control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.

 

Baruwa, who addressed journalists at the secretariat on Monday, said the takeover followed favourable rulings from both the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and the Court of Appeal of Nigeria affirming him as the duly elected president of the union.

 

He explained that the union had earlier notified the Nigeria Police Force, submitting copies of the court judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat.

 

According to Baruwa, the response from security authorities was not encouraging, prompting his faction to issue a fresh notice of its intention to resume operations at the secretariat in line with the court orders.

 

He maintained that the takeover was peaceful and in compliance with judicial rulings, stressing that his group remains law-abiding and open to reconciliation.

 

Baruwa, however, alleged that a member of his faction was attacked during the process, though he said the situation had been brought under control.

 

Also speaking, the union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, said repeated efforts to persuade the opposing faction to vacate the premises had failed, necessitating the action.

 

Court documents show that the industrial court, in a judgment delivered on March 11, 2024, recognised Baruwa as NURTW president—a decision later upheld by the appellate court in a ruling delivered on November 8, 2024.

 

The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by loyalists of MC Oluomo, ruling that it lacked merit and awarding costs against the appellants.

 

The development marks a significant shift in the protracted leadership tussle within the union, with implications for its nationwide operations.