Tensions within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have escalated following the reported forceful takeover of its national secretariat in Abuja.
The union’s General Secretary, Kayode Agbeyangi, on Tuesday denounced the incident as an illegal act, alleging that it was carried out without adherence to due process or legal authority.
The development comes after Tajudeen Baruwa reportedly led a group of supporters to occupy the secretariat, asserting his claim to the union’s leadership based on an earlier court ruling.
Agbeyangi criticised the move, stating that the action occurred despite pending legal proceedings and an appeal already filed by the union, which includes a stay of execution on the judgment in question.
He alleged that the group gained access to the premises in the early hours of Monday, accompanied by hoodlums, and engaged in acts of vandalism while removing union property.
According to him, the absence of staff at the time prevented a possible escalation of violence.
The union has called on security agencies to probe the incident and safeguard the premises, stressing the need for all parties to respect the rule of law.
In a separate response, NURTW President Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, distanced himself from the court ruling cited by Baruwa, noting that he was not a defendant in the case and that the judgment has been appealed.
The ongoing dispute traces back to the union’s 2022 elections, which produced rival leadership claims and triggered a series of legal battles. A 2023 ruling by the National Industrial Court recognised Baruwa as president, but subsequent appeals have left the matter unresolved.
The latest incident underscores the persistent instability within the union’s leadership structure, with stakeholders urging restraint and adherence to judicial processes.
