Lagos set for bloody clash as MC Oluomo moves to takeover NURTW

As MC Oluomo claims to have the backing of Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu

However, this laudable arrangement did not go down well with some members, some of whom have been in the position for more than  eight years. These people have been planning to cause serious problem within the union and if not checked on time may lead to complete breakdown of law & order, wanton destruction of lives & property, uncontrollable pandemonium and complete state of anarchy

Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, July 27, 2019

LAGOS, Nigeria – There is palpable fear in the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) over looming clashes as Alhaji Musliu Ayinde Akinsanya better known as MC Oluomo moves to takeover top union position in Lagos.

We gathered that few days ago, Lagos State chairman of the union, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede was elevated to the position of National Vice Chairman or Vice President of NURTW and in the process creating vacancy for the positions of Lagos State chairman, treasurer and other offices.

But concerned members of the union who spoke with some journalists in Lagos recently, alleged that the State Treasurer of the union, MC Oluomo is making moves to impose himself as the next state chairman of the union during the coming election and was already boasting that no one can stop him, since he has the backing of national leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu whom he vehimently campaigned for in the last election.

Stakeholders and opinion leaders in NURTW are calling on the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other political leaders in the state, to quickly move to avert what they tagged “imminent uncontrollable bloody and civil unrest by some disgruntled members’, over the union’s election.

According to them, attempt by the current state treasurer to impose himself as the chairman of the union in the state may lead to anarchy and civil unrest among the members of the union and by extension Lagos state at large.

They have called  on MC Oluomo to respect the union’s constitution and the zoning arrangement made by the parties. The leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity said those pushing to take over leadership of the union are doing it for selfish gains and personal aggrandizement. 

“For example, now that the Lagos State Chairman of NURTW has now been appointed as the National Vice President of the association, the position of both the state chairman, the treasurer and other officers has become vacant and in strict compliance with the constitution of the union and in other to give room for fair play, equity, justice and even distribution of positions, it has been generally resolved that the constitution of the union must be adhered to in appointing officers.

“In achieving this and to give peace a chance, Lagos State has been divided into 3 senatorial districts namely, Lagos West, Lagos East and Lagos Central. Currently, both the Chairman and the Treasurer of the Union are from Lagos West Senatorial District and this has been the case in the past 8 years, hence in strict compliance with the constitution, both the position of the state Chairman & Treasurer should go to another Senatorial District who has not had this same opportunity”, they said.

Besides, they are of the view that it was recently arranged during a meeting that the next union chairman should come from the East senatorial district, which has never had such opportunity.

“In a recent general meeting held in the state, it was unanimously decided that the State Chairman of the Union should go to Lagos East while that of the Treasurer is yet to be decided but it is our belief that this shall also be decided constitutionally. 

“However, this laudable arrangement did not go down well with some members, some of whom have been in the position for more than  eight years. These people have been planning to cause serious problem within the union that if not checked on time may lead to complete breakdown of law & order, wanton destruction of lives & property, uncontrollable pandemonium and complete state of anarchy”. 

The leaders of thought in the union alleged that “a very reliable source from the union fold, also informed us that the current State Treasurer of the union, who is popularly known and referred to as “Olowo Eko’, who is from Lagos West Senatorial district, just like the outgoing chairman, present Chairman (Lagos West), Agbede who will soon be sworn in as the Vice National President of our Union, had spent good solid eight years on same position, allegedly making move to impose himself on the union as the next Chairman.

“An impeccable source, very close to MC Oluomo also informed us that the plan currently being embarked upon by Oluomo to force himself on the union, boasting that he has the blessing of Asiwaju Tinubu, the current Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu and the newly appointed National Chairman of NURTW.  He has been boasting around that he is the anointed candidate of the trio and he has no iota regard for the Constitution of the Union. 

“This worrisome and ugly development is currently creating panic amongst the members of our esteemed union, especially from the other two Senatorial Districts, ought to produce the Chairman and Treasurer. 

“Base on underground investigation by our team, it was gathered that the matter should be urgently looked into by the relevant authorities, especially, the Lagos State Government whose name has been used and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to look into matter before it snowballed into an uncontrollable configuration that will destroy the peace that Lagos State is known for. 

“We the stakeholders and opinion leaders say that It will amount to callousness, for the person who have been in position for eight years, controlling the finances and affairs of the union without adequate accountability to still want to impose himself as the Chairman of the union contrary to the Constitution of the Union. For Example Article 42(4)(ii) of the NURTW Constitution provides for rotational and zoning of all the 18 elective offices of the union at all levels”, they said.

While commending Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for being known for unwavering pedigree for democratic principal, just, equity and fairness, appealed to him not to encourage what is different from his highly cherished principles and values.

They also called on Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the State Governor, whom they said has sworn on oath to protect lives and property of every Citizen of Lagos State, to do all humanly possible to dissociate himself from such unwholesome proposed activities of some members of NURTW, Lagos State who are bent on fomenting trouble and causing mayhem in Lagos State for the peace loving Lagosians.

All efforts made to hear from Oluomo did not yield positive result as both calls and messages sent to him on 08037168492 were not returned.