By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Government has rejected the purported inauguration of Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), declaring the appointment null and void and insisting that Comrade Nurudeen Alowonle remains the recognised chairman of the union in the state.
The government’s position came as Oyewale, who was inaugurated as chairman by a faction of the union, assumed office and declared that peace had returned to motor parks across Osun State, assuring residents that NURTW activities had resumed.
But the state government has rejected the new leadership, maintaining that there has been no change in the leadership of the union.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government declared the purported appointment of Oyewale as NURTW chairman null, void and of no legal effect.
It reaffirmed that Nurudeen Alowonle remains the substantive chairman of the Osun State Council of the NURTW and that members of his executive council remain in office.
The government also rejected the reported inauguration of a caretaker committee or alternative executive for the union, describing such a move as illegal.
According to the government, Governor Ademola Adeleke did not at any time dissolve the NURTW leadership or remove any duly appointed officer of the union.
The state government said the Alowonle-led executive was appointed by the national leadership of the NURTW under its President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the national union.
“There is no vacuum in the leadership of the union,” the government declared.
The government explained that the earlier directive of the Osun State Security Council concerning NURTW activities was not a dissolution of the union’s leadership.
Rather, it said, the directive was specifically aimed at suspending union activities in motor parks as a temporary security measure following the violence and disturbances that had occurred in some parks.
The government maintained that the suspension of union activities should not be interpreted as the dissolution or removal of the executive committees at either the state or local government levels.
It further clarified that the motor parks themselves were not ordered to close.
According to the government, Governor Adeleke had stated that the parks should remain open for commercial activities, while union activities were suspended pending the restoration of peace and security.
Besides, the Government said no new Executive Was approved, stating that the tenure of the Alowonle-led executive had not expired and that any attempt to install another leadership amounted to a violation of due process.
It therefore urged NURTW members, transport operators and members of the public to disregard claims that a new leadership had been officially constituted by the state government.
The government reiterated that Alowonle and his executive remained the recognised leadership of the union in Osun State.
It also raised concerns over the reported emergence of Oyewale, alleging that attempts to install an individual facing allegations connected with violent crimes as chairman would be contrary to the rule of law.
The government said it would not recognise any arrangement that purportedly displaced the existing NURTW leadership without due process.
Fresh Leadership Dispute
But Oyewale, who spoke on Saturday after assuming office, said the new state executive members were invited to Abuja, where they were inaugurated to take charge of the affairs of the Osun State Council of the union.
He appealed to residents to disassociate commercial drivers and NURTW members from the violence that characterised the recent leadership crisis, insisting that most members of the union were responsible citizens and family men.
According to him, the leadership change was part of the normal process within an organisation, stressing that the new executive was ready to restore unity and stability across motor parks in the state.
“In every organisation, leadership changes are normal. That is why we were invited to Abuja for our inauguration so that we can officially take charge of the affairs of the NURTW Osun State Council,” Oyewale said.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, insisting that the union had moved beyond the violence and disagreements that recently disrupted activities in some motor parks.
“My advice to the people of Osun State is to remain calm. We, the commercial drivers, are not hoodlums; we are responsible family men,” he said.
Oyewale also called on the police to intensify investigations into the killings of some NURTW members during the crisis, saying justice should be served for victims and their families.
“The police are already investigating the killing of our members during the crisis. Our doors remain open to all members because we are one family, and I urge those who have stayed away to return to the NURTW,” he said.
The new chairman also appealed to the Osun State Government to work with his administration, arguing that the NURTW was an independent organisation that was prepared to cooperate with the government, security agencies and other stakeholders.
“I also appeal to the Osun State Government to work with us. We are ready to cooperate with everyone because we are an independent union,” he said.
Oyewale further assured residents that the crisis that had affected some motor parks had been resolved.
“I want to assure the people of Osun State that there is no longer any violence, as all issues in our motor parks have been resolved,” he said.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force for its intervention during the crisis and urged security personnel to maintain their efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state.
According to Oyewale, activities had resumed across the garages, with union members returning to their normal operations.
‘NURTW Is One United Family’
Also speaking, the Interim Secretary of the Osun State Council of the NURTW and Group 2 Chairman for Ife Federal Constituency, Ayinde Mutiu Olakunle, said normal activities had resumed across motor parks.
Olakunle appealed to members to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order, stressing that the union remained one family despite the disagreements that had recently divided its members.
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“We want to assure the people of Osun State that activities have fully resumed in our motor parks and there is no longer any fighting in any of our garages,” he said..
He urged members to reject violence and thuggery and return to their various motor parks to continue their legitimate businesses.
“We appeal to all our members to shun violence and thuggery. The NURTW is one united family, and we encourage every member to return and resume their daily activities across Osun State,” he added.
The conflicting positions have effectively opened another chapter in the leadership crisis that has recently affected the NURTW in Osun State.
While Oyewale and his supporters insist that the Abuja inauguration gives them the authority to take charge of the union, the state government maintains that the Alowonle executive remains in office and that no change in leadership has been recognised by the state.
The dispute is coming after the state government and security authorities took measures to halt activities of transport unions in motor parks following reports of violence and confrontation among rival factions.
The crisis had raised concerns over public safety and the potential disruption of transportation in the state, particularly at a time when Osun is preparing for the August 15 governorship election.
The government’s earlier decision to suspend union activities was presented as a security measure intended to restore calm in the motor parks.
The latest development, however, means that the question of who has legitimate authority to administer the NURTW in Osun remains contested.
Despite the disagreement over the legitimacy of the new executive, both sides have appealed for peace and a return to normalcy in the motor parks.
Oyewale said his administration was ready to work with the government and other stakeholders, while the government maintained that the Alowonle executive remained the recognised leadership.
For transport operators and commuters, the immediate concern remains the restoration of uninterrupted and safe commercial transportation across the state.
The government has consequently urged all stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting violence in the motor parks.
The police have also been urged to continue investigating reported killings and other criminal incidents linked to the crisis.
As the dispute unfolds, the competing claims by the two sides are likely to remain a major issue for transport operators and security authorities in Osun, particularly with the governorship election less than a month away.
For now, Oyewale says the new leadership has assumed office and that union activities have resumed, while the Osun State Government insists that his appointment is null and void and that Nurudeen Alowonle remains the substantive chairman of the NURTW in the state.
