By Ghazali Ibrahim
A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) after a rival faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa forcefully took over the union’s national secretariat and removed images of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
Members of the Baruwa-led faction were seen in viral videos pulling down and destroying portraits of MC Oluomo during the takeover of the union’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The dramatic development follows a prolonged leadership tussle within the union, which has lasted for about two years after a disputed delegates’ conference meant to produce new leadership.
Baruwa, who claims legitimacy based on favourable court rulings, moved to reclaim the secretariat alongside his supporters, insisting the action was in line with judicial decisions affirming his leadership.
The takeover marks a major setback for MC Oluomo, an influential figure within the transport union and a known political ally, who had continued to occupy the secretariat despite the legal disputes.
Sources indicate that tensions remain high within the union, with fears that the power struggle could escalate further if reconciliation efforts fail.
The NURTW has long been a powerful body within Nigeria’s transport sector, and the ongoing crisis raises concerns over stability within the union and its broader political implications.
