Tajudeen Baruwa on Monday, assumed control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) national secretariat in Abuja, removing Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
This follows several court rulings that reshaped the union’s power structure.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat after reclaiming control on Monday, Baruwa, flanked by supporters from across the country, said his actions were backed by two court judgments delivered in his favour.
Following the victory, he said the union formally notified the Nigerian Police, attaching copies of the court judgments to facilitate the recovery of its secretariat.
However, he noted that the responses were not encouraging, prompting the union to send another notice a few days ago, declaring its intention to take over the secretariat and resume duties in line with the court rulings.
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.”
