The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has dissolved its executives in Ondo State.
National President Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa said in Abuja that the union had also initiated a process for setting up of a caretaker committee to be led by Chief Olalekan Folorunsho, the South West Zone 2 chairman, to oversee the affairs of the union across the state.
Baruwa, who cited the NURTW constitutional provision in Article 42, sections 5, 6 and 7 as the basis for the decision, said the move was aimed at ensuring proper reorganisation of the structure of the union throughout the state.
He said: “With this announcement, union executives at the State Administrative Council (SAC) level, all branches and every unit hereby stand dissolved, as contained in Article 42 Section 7 of the union constitution.”
The NURTW president said the national leadership was determined to follow due process in investigating the dastardly attack in Akure, the Ondo State capital that led to loss of lives, as enshrined in NURTW Constitution, Article 42, Section 5 and 8.
He vowed to bring perpetrators to book, while working in line with the union’s constitution to ensure that the selection of members of caretaker committee will be done across board to boost the performance of members and promote their welfare.
Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had ordered indefinite suspension of activities of the union in the state.
He had also directed all NURTW members are to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.
The Governor had last week said the suspension of NURTW and RTEAN activities in motor parks would only last for two weeks.
Akeredolu, who spoke Tuesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said the indefinite suspension would not affect RTEAN.
He said the decision to suspend NURTW activities indefinitely was based on the unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders, describing the violent attacks on members and the innocent citizens as unacceptable.
In a renewed clash between the union’s factions in Akure, the state capital, one person, identified as Ademola Ademoyegun Shina, had been killed while two others including Adeyemi Samuel Ojuyobo and Akinyemi Bayo were injured in the process.
It was gathered the clash occurred at Ola Garage in Akure
One of the factions was said to be loyal to the former Ondo Chairman of the NURTW, Mr Jacob Adebo Idajo.
Both factions were reportedly summoned by National Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa and the Zonal Chairman, Olamilekan Salami to Osogbo on Monday for peace meeting but it ended in a deadlock.
Sources said Idajo was advised to bring peace to the Ondo Chapter of the Union to allow the union resume operation at the garage the following day.
The source said clashed began on Tuesday morning.
A leader of the other faction against Idajo leaderahip, Mr. Toyin Olaoye Fayagbe, said: “Some of us were still at home this morning when our members called that they were been beaten at the park once they are identified as one of the delegations to Osogbo meeting.
“It was in the process that a group of armed thugs numbering about thirty approached the park and opened fire on them, killing one and leaving two injured.”
The factional group had protested to the palace of the Deji of Akure to express their grievances as at press time.
On Sunday, eight persons were injured when members of the NURTW clashed at the Owode area of the state.
