Baruwa Takes Over NURTW Secretariat, Pushes Out MC Oluomo

The leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers escalated on Monday as Tajudeen Baruwa assumed control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, effectively sidelining loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya.

Baruwa, who arrived at the secretariat alongside supporters drawn from different parts of the country, said his action was in full compliance with subsisting court judgments affirming him as the legitimate president of the union.

According to him, security agencies had earlier been notified of the planned move, with copies of the court rulings forwarded to them.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as a weak response from law enforcement, prompting a follow-up notice ahead of the takeover.

“We are not here to cause trouble. We are a law-abiding body simply reclaiming what belongs to us,” Baruwa stated. “This is not a forceful takeover but the execution of valid court orders after nearly two years of restraint.”

Despite the tense atmosphere, he maintained that the process was largely peaceful, although he alleged that a supporter from his camp was attacked by members of the opposing faction and is currently receiving treatment.