2023: Why NURTW suspends Oluomo

2023: Why NURTW suspends Oluomo

By Kunle Quadri

The Lagos State Chairman of  National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Mr Musiliu Akinsanya has been suspended.

Observers think his suspension may not be unconnected with the 2023 elections. Oluomo holds a strategic position as the NURTW stalwart in mobilising grassroots support for both the Presidential and Governorship candidates in Lagos.

The NURTW has remained one of the bulldogs in electoral contest in Lagos State. Oluomo is believed to be one of the grassroots pillars of  a prominent Lagos politician. The road transport unions historically have played critical roles in electoral fortunes in Nigeria given their share number and capacity for mandate protection or mandate scuttle.

“The target is the Lagos politician. They want to weaken him and undermine his foot soldiers” a reliable source in Abuja told Irohinoodua. NURTW us traditionally save when it comes to elections with the potential to garner over 8 million voted across Nigeris using its grassroots structure

.But the suspension also raises one of the faultlines in Nigeria’s garrison structure. Many wonder why there should be a National transport union in the first place.

A letter dated March 9th, 2022 made available to Irohinoodua on Thursday, suspended MC Oluomo.

The General Secretary for the national body, Kabiru Yau,said that the NURTW constitution remains sacrosanct and adhered to by members across the country.

The letter suspending Oluomo Stated“This is to convey to you that in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of the union’s constitution, you have been placed on indefinite suspension from office as State Chairman of Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with effect from March 9th, 2021.

“Your suspension is sequel to sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct coupled with your clandestine plans to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on any branch or branches of the union in Lagos state that refuses to obey your order or instructions not to accept directives from the national headquarters of the Union.

“Your orchestrated plan to attack branches that may disobey your orders aforesaid will ultimately endanger public peace and order in Lagos state. It is also very likely to threaten and/or affect the lives and property of the peace-loving people of Lagos state, particularly those doing their legitimate businesses within motor parks, hence the urgent need to take drastic actions against him.

“It is on record that you were earlier issued with queries on 25th of February 2022 and 3rd of March, 2022 respectively in which you were directed to explain the circumstances surrounding your untoward actions and to also show cause why disciplinary actions should not be taken against you for such acts of insubordination. You bluntly neglected/refuse to respond to the second query, while your response to the first query was unsatisfactory.

“In view of your suspension, you are hereby directed to hand over the mantle of leadership of the Lagos State Council to the State Deputy Chairman and also surrender all Union properties in your possession to the State Secretary of the Union forthwith”