Leadership crisis: Why police shouldn’t enforce Baruwa’s court verdict –NURTW

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

National Union of Road Transport WORKERS (NURTW), has explained why the police and other security agencies should not enforce a judgement obtained by a former president of the union, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa.

NURTW’s National Officer, Uwem James, at press briefing yesterday in Abuja, explained that the judgment obtained by Baruwa was targeted at the wrong parties and in defiance to various court orders.

He further stated that union has several pending court cases challenging Baruwa’s eligibility to hold office and the legitimacy of the elections conducted by him.

According to him, Baruwa had conducted elections for the union leadership despite a court order to maintain the status quo.

He said: “The National Vice President of the union Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (2019-2023) and five others from from south west had on 12th April 2023 filed an action in suit No NICN/LA/111/2023  at Lagos division of the National industrial court challenged the eligibility of Baruwa to hold election based on the ground that Ogun state government ( Baruwa home state) had barred the union from operating.

“NURTW was non existence in Ogun state, hence could not claim to represent the state. Also, the court order parties in the case in Lagos division to maintain status quo pending hearing and  determination of all pending applications including interlocutory injunctions to restraint conduct of any election by the union.

“The applications are still pending till today, but Baruwa in a contemptuous manner and despite being aware of this order defied same and went ahead to declare himself president of the union without recourse to the union constitution and originating Simmons “

He called on the relevant authorities, including the Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of State Security, to disregard the judgment and allow the pending court cases to run their course.

The NURTW has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with two factions vying for control of the union. The crisis has led to tensions and conflicts among members, with some calling for a peaceful resolution.