The Lagos State Transport Union has withdrawn its membership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.
This development is coming shortly after the national union suspended the chairman of the Lagos state chapter, Musiliu Akinsanya alias MC Oluomo. Rising from an emergency meeting at the state secretariat at Agege, MC Oluomo said;
“Being law-abiding and responsible citizens, we have decided to explore all avenues for peace in the interest of all, we will not support any action that can threaten the peace that we cherish so much in Lagos State.”
“Therefore, I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, on behalf of the State Administrative Council (SAC), State Executive Council (SEC) members and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), 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 and to write the Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and other relevant agencies about our decision.”
MC Oluomo urged the state government to take over the running of the affairs of the union pending the determination of the matter in the interest of peace.
He added that his action is in line with Section 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saying, “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”.
THIS URCHIN DETESTS DISCIPLINED. HOW DOES IT ENFORCE SAME IN HIS GROUP?
A mare suspension and now withdrawal from the parent body. SENSELESSNESS cum SELFISHNESS at play.
We may be witnessing the reenactment of the skirmish that led to the schism of transport unions in the second republic.
Adebayo Ogundare, ALIAS Bayo Success with the backing of late Bashorun MKO Abiola decided to register this same union, NURTW. A break away from the only existing national union suspected to have the support and backings of the UPN, the political party that controlled both Lagos state and the entire SW.
NURTW was registered to spite the UPN and goes full swing to the opposing NPN camp. The political party at the center which controlled the federal government.
CAN THIS MC DECLARE AND REGISTER A PARALELL INDEPENDENT BREAK AWAY UNION AND WITH WHOSE BACKINGS IS LEFT TO BE SEEN AND ACHIEVED?
While it is possible. He is going to need the endorsement of a powerful figure like the Bashorun, for this to become a reality. However, time and season have both changed. This is modern age and time.