The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has condemned the alleged invasion of its national secretariat in Abuja, describing the incident as an illegal and disturbing breach of due legal process. The latest chapter in a protracted leadership tussle saw Mr Tajudeen Baruwa reportedly lead supporters to take control of the secretariat on Monday, asserting his claim to the union’s presidency based on court rulings. The union’s General Secretary, Mr Kayode Agbeyangi, addressing newsmen on Tuesday, stressed that the action was carried out without notice or legal authority, further complicating a leadership dispute that has lingered since internal elections in 2022.
Agbeyangi said the individuals involved forcefully gained access to the secretariat early in the morning, resulting in vandalism and the removal of union property. He noted that no staff or officials were present during the incident, which he said prevented possible confrontation or escalation of violence. “We were not served any notice, and there are clear legal processes for enforcing judgments. Taking the law into one’s hands is unacceptable,” he stated. He added that the union had filed an appeal and obtained a stay of execution on the purported judgment, which it described as contentious.
The leadership crisis within NURTW dates back to 2022, when internal elections produced conflicting outcomes and triggered multiple court cases. Baruwa has maintained that he was duly elected during those elections, while rival factions, including supporters of Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, have challenged his presidency, citing irregularities and pending legal matters. The National Industrial Court had in 2023 declared Baruwa the duly elected president of the union, but subsequent appeals and legal filings have kept the leadership structure contested.
In his reaction to Monday’s events, Akinsanya, who serves as NURTW National President according to the faction aligned with him, described the attack and vandalism of the secretariat as unfortunate. He noted that he was not a defendant in the judgment relied upon by Baruwa and that the ruling had been appealed with a stay of execution already in place. “I have not engaged with Mr Baruwa or any individual,” he said, urging members to respect judicial processes.
From an institutional perspective, the protracted leadership dispute raises questions about governance within Nigeria’s transport unions, which play a significant role in managing road transport activities across the country. NURTW’s influence extends to motor parks, interstate transport coordination, and relationships with state governments, making leadership stability a matter of public interest. Prolonged factional conflicts can disrupt transport operations, create uncertainty for members, and complicate government engagement on transport policy and security matters.
The alleged takeover of the national secretariat also highlights broader concerns about the enforcement of court rulings in organisational disputes. Agbeyangi’s insistence on due process reflects a recognition that self-help undermines the rule of law, regardless of the merits of any faction’s legal claims. The union’s appeal and stay of execution, if properly obtained, would ordinarily restrain parties from acting on a judgment until appellate courts resolve outstanding issues. The disregard for such procedural safeguards, if confirmed, would represent a breakdown in the peaceful resolution of internal conflicts.
Security agencies have been called upon to investigate the incident and ensure the protection of lives and property at the secretariat. For a union that manages large gatherings of commercial drivers and transport workers across the country, the potential for violence or disruption remains a concern whenever leadership disputes escalate. Agbeyangi’s appeal for all stakeholders to respect judicial processes reflects a desire to contain the conflict within legal channels rather than permit it to degenerate into sustained confrontation.
As multiple cases remain pending before various courts, the immediate future of NURTW’s leadership structure remains uncertain. The union’s ability to function effectively while navigating overlapping legal claims will depend on the willingness of all parties to abide by judicial outcomes and refrain from unilateral actions that risk destabilising the organisation further.
