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By Suliyat Quadri and Godspower Okereke
A security expert and chairman of Mainforce International Investment Limited, Chief Owolabi Ajayi, has described allegations of intimidation levelled against the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP)in the 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, as baseless, mischievous and a desperate attempt to whip up political sentiments.
Rhodes-Vivour had, in a petition dated October 8, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, accused Sego of intimidation and threats to life.
The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, alleged that Adekunle and other union members had issued violent threats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the petition, the allegations stemmed from a viral video recorded on September 25, 2025, in which Adekunle was purportedly heard warning Lagos residents against supporting any political candidate opposed to President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
But Ajayi, popularly dismissed the claims as cheap blackmail and “crying wolf where there is none.” He said Lagos remains one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, largely due to the collaborative efforts of security agencies and critical stakeholders like the NURTW. “The petition is unwarranted and a clear case of political desperation,. Sego is a peace-loving leader who has worked tirelessly to maintain stability within the transport sector. Under his leadership, Lagos has experienced relative calm and order. It is unfair and dangerous to demonize him for political gain,” Ajayi said.
Ajayi, who holds the title of Akinrogun of Akure Kingdom, described Sego as a bridge-builder who has significantly reduced violence and union-related clashes in the state.
According to him, since Sego assumed office, the NURTW has maintained a cordial relationship with law enforcement agencies, resulting in improved security across transport corridors.
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“Anyone who genuinely understands Lagos will admit that the transport sector has changed. There is structure, there is order, and there is mutual respect between transport operators and the authorities. This is the Lagos Sego has helped to build,” Ajayi added.
He cautioned politicians against raising false alarms or politicizing security matters, warning that such tactics could destabilize the relative peace currently enjoyed in the state. “Security is too sensitive to be turned into a political weapon,” he stressed.
Ajayi also used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that all 22 APC governors have unanimously declared their support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
He said this was proof of political alignment and stability at the national level.
“The fact that the governors are united behind Tinubu speaks volumes. It shows the level of trust in his leadership. Lagos must not be allowed to be dragged into unnecessary political theatrics,” Ajayi said.
The security expert urged the police to handle the petition dispassionately and resist any attempt to use security agencies for political intimidation.
He maintained that such baseless allegations should not distract the union or security agencies from their responsibilities.
