NURTW Crisis: Take over Lagos parks, garages, MC Oluomo tells Gov. Sanwo-Olu
Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as Mc Oluomo, has asked the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to take over the running of all parks and garages in the state.
He stated this in a press conference on Thursday after his indefinite suspension by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as the Lagos State chapter’s Chairman over alleged misconduct, insubordination, and inciting members of the state chapter against the apex body.
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NURTW also directed MC Oluomo to immediately hand over the mantle of leadership to his deputy chairman and release all property belonging to the transport body in his possession to the state secretary.
According to reports, the suspension may be connected to a protest staged by Mc Oluomo’s supporters during which they accused the union’s national leadership of unnecessarily interfering in the state affairs.
The Union alleged that the decision to place MC Oluomo on indefinite suspension was to prevent any breakdown of law and order after it came to its notice that he was already inciting members against the union, an act that is completely against the NURTW constitution.
MC Oluomo’s suspension was contained in a letter sent to him on decisions taken by the national body as regards his recent conduct which the Union described as a total disregard for the constitution governing members’ activities across the country.
The letter reads: “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 9, 2022.
“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 you.
“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.”
Responding to his suspension in a press conference at the NURTW Secretariat in the Agege area of the state on Thursday, MC Oluomo also announced the withdrawal of himself and his lieutenants from NURTW as a union.
During the press conference, Akinsanya said, “I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, on behalf of the State Administrative Council, State Executive Council members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council with over 200 branches and zones hereby resolve to immediately withdraw our membership and operation from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State; write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies about our decision.
“It is important to state that our action is in line with section 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended, which provides as follows – Every person shall be entitled to assembly freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his or her interests). This means that every person shall be entitled to join an association and exit freely without molestation.
“In view of this and the crisis at hand, Lagos State Government is hereby invited to consider its white paper on Transport Union activities, 2004 section 5C, which states that the Government should take over the management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until such is resolved by the consultative committee.
“We hereby call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and parks in the state, thereby ensuring peace and tranquillity, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State.”
