A call has gone out to Lagos Stat
Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and the Inspector General of Police, Mr.
Kayode Egbetokun to resist the pressure to be dragged into the selfish
agenda of individuals who are determined to hijack legitimate structures
and constituted authorities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and also call on Governor Sanwoolu in particular to impress it on Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya popularly called MC
Oluomo to be contended with his roles as the Chief manager of Parks and
Garages and allow other stakeholders within NURTW breathe and operate
without interference in Lagos State.
Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) made the call in a press statement issued at the Liberation Centre on Monday, September 18, 2023.
In his speech, Comrade Omotehinse said “as one
of the strategic platforms of civil society stakeholders in Lagos State this is a follow up on our earlier clarion call through media briefing on
April 28, 2022 on the potential disruptive motive of vested interests
masquerading as authentic trade unionists under the banner of the now
dissolved Parks and Garden Management with the sinister agenda of
usurping the operations of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) in Lagos State. On account of our civil obligation as patriots,
we again compelled to alert the Nigerian general public; particularly
critical local and global stakeholders as well as relevant institutions
of the inherent danger of imposing Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo)
led Parks and Gardens platform on the legitimate structure and
leadership of Alhaji Fatai Adesina-led National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State.
“It would be recalled that Mr. Musiliu
Oluomo who is the arrowhead of Parks and Garages Management had issues
with the Tajudeen Baruwa led leadership of NURTW. Following the
sanctioning and suspension of Mr. Oluomo as stipulated in Article 42,
Section 5 Subsection (i-x) of the NURTW Constitution, the Lagos State
Government, notwithstanding, accorded recognition to MC. Oluomo, albeit
as the leader of Lagos Parks and Garages (not recognised as an affiliate
of the NURTW) and by so doing instigated state-sponsored rebellion
against the authentic national leadership of NURTW.
“We are not unaware
of ongoing insurrection against the authentic national leadership of the
NURTW which is duly recognised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Worrisome dimension to the NURTW crisis and urgent need fo caution.
It should be worrisome that the civilian coup in NURTW clearly appears
to enjoy active connivance of the Nigerian State as manifested by the
partisanship of the Nigerian Police.
“What is however of immediate
concern and source of worry is the subterranean manoeuvres to imposed MC
Oluomo as leader of NURTW in Lagos State in spite of having publicly
severed relationship with NURTW and assumed a new role as the Chief
Manager of Lagos Parks and Garages. We are deeply worried that the
undemocratic and crude imposition of outsiders on legitimately
constituted authority through the back doors and dark corridors to
hijack the leadership of the NURTW is manifesting in Lagos State.
“Our
position is clearly in defence of the constitutional rights of citizens
in a democratic dispensation. The right to form and belong to an
association including Trade Union based on established laws and
regulations is eloquently recognised and guaranteed by the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“We hold firm that Freedom of Association is one of the cardinal rights
of global concerns. This is why it is enshrined in the United Nations
(UN) as well as the Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights of the African
Union (AU). Thus, Mr. MC Oluomo can only belong to any union as
permitted by law and regulation guiding such union. As far as we know
and in line with what is already a public knowledge, MC Oluomo belongs
to Parks and Garages Management while Alhaji Fatai Adesina is the duly
and legally recognised leader of Lagos State Council of NURTW under a
extant law that is sacrosanct. It is not permitted by law for person to
poach, usurp and hijack the structure, least to imagine, assuming the
leadership of any organisation that he or she is not a recognised member
having been suspended/expelled in line with the rules and regulations
guiding such organisation.
“It should be emphasized that since our last media briefing, the NURTW
structure and Alhaji Fatai leadership have not been allow to operate by
Lagos State government on account of alleged proscription of the union
notwithstanding that the union has remained law abiding in demonstration
of commitment to the stability and advancement of the developmental
agenda of Lagos. We therefore, unequivocally and in unmistaken terms,
condemn the ‘meddlesome interloper ‘transgressor in the person of MC
Oluomo for orchestrating ‘hostile takeover’ of NURTW in Lagos State.
“This development should be a major concern to all Lagosians considering
the potential adverse effects of any escalation of hostilities in the
Transportation sector and the overriding consequences for security of
lives and properties in the State. We are not unaware of the unpleasant
occurrence at the nation’s federal capital, where peaceful Abuja
residents have witnessed fracas between the factions of NURTW.
“Considering that transportation is key to economic transformation, we
call on government at the federal and state levels to ensure peaceful
activities amongst stakeholders in transport union in line with rules
and regulation and without interference and forceful hijack of
established structures.
Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) is a public good
oriented non-governmental organization (NGO) registered as a corporate
body to defend, sustain and promote the fundamental human and
socio-economic rights of citizens and residents in any part of Nigeria
as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
CHSR collaborates with other organizations committed to an ideal
Nigerian society founded on participatory democracy, equity, fairness
and rule of law.
By Ajibola Adedoye