Baruwa ousts MC Oluomo as NURTW president, takes control of secretariat

The leadership tussle within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) escalated on Monday as Tajudeen Baruwa assumed control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, following a series of court rulings in his favour.

Baruwa, who addressed journalists at the secretariat alongside supporters drawn from across the country, said the takeover was in compliance with judgments delivered by both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, which affirmed him as the union’s legitimate president.

He explained that the union had earlier notified the Nigerian Police, submitting copies of the court rulings to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the response of security authorities, prompting a renewed notice of intent to reclaim the office.

According to him, the action was carried out peacefully and strictly in line with the law.

“We are not here to cause trouble. We are a law-abiding organisation simply reclaiming what rightfully belongs to us based on valid court judgments,” Baruwa said.

He noted that despite waiting for about two years for compliance with the court orders, the opposing faction failed to vacate the premises, necessitating the union’s return to the secretariat.

Baruwa also alleged that members of the rival faction attacked one of his supporters during the process, leaving the individual hospitalised, though he said the situation had been brought under control. He, however, maintained that his camp remained open to reconciliation.

Backing the move, the union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, said all necessary notifications had been made to law enforcement authorities ahead of the takeover.

“We informed the police that we would be resuming at our office in line with court orders. We want the public to witness that this action is lawful,” Musa stated.

The development follows a string of judicial pronouncements affirming Baruwa’s leadership. In a ruling delivered in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, the National Industrial Court declared him the duly elected president of the union.

Similarly, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a judgment delivered on November 8, 2024, upheld the lower court’s decision, dismissing an appeal filed by individuals aligned with MC Oluomo for lacking merit.

The appellate court, in its decision, also awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the appellants, reinforcing the legitimacy of the Baruwa-led executive.

The crisis stems from Baruwa’s opposition to the emergence of MC Oluomo as NURTW president, a dispute that has since split the union into rival factions.