By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Police Force has intervened in the leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers following a renewed attempt by a faction to take control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Members of the faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa stormed the secretariat early Monday, claiming to be acting on valid court judgments which affirmed him as the duly elected president of the union.
Baruwa, who addressed journalists at the premises, said the action was in compliance with rulings of both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, which upheld his leadership and ordered his reinstatement.
He explained that his faction had previously notified the police, attaching copies of the court judgments to facilitate a peaceful return, but alleged that the response from security authorities was not encouraging.
According to him, the group issued a fresh notice of its intention to resume at the secretariat after waiting for nearly two years for compliance with the court orders.
Baruwa maintained that the takeover was peaceful and not intended to cause unrest, insisting that his group remains law-abiding and committed to due process.
He, however, alleged that a member of his faction was attacked during the process and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
The leadership tussle stems from long-standing disagreements within the union following a disputed election and the emergence of a rival faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
While Baruwa’s faction insists it is acting within the law, the rival group has rejected the move, describing the takeover as invalid and insisting it will not stand.
A source within the opposing faction also claimed that Baruwa had been arrested, although this has not been officially confirmed.
The crisis has continued to generate tension within the union, with both sides laying claim to the leadership and control of the national secretariat.
