A directive by the National Union of Road Trasport Workers (NURTW) to its members in Ondo to take back all motor parks starting from Monday is already causing apprehension in the state, Peoples Gazette can report. 

Tajudeen Baruwa, National President, NURTW, gave the directive during a recent visit to the state, after a meeting with the drivers union.

Mr Baruwa, who was represented by an official of the NURTW, Isa Ore, had frowned at the closure of the union’s state secretariat by the Ondo government. 

National officers who recently visited the state directed the members to reclaim all its parks on or before June 12, and in line with a court judgement.

Mr Baruwa urged all the members to close ranks for the progress and development of the union, saying that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour.

“We must no longer allow the fifth columnist to divide us for their selfish gains, we are one and we must remain one indivisible entity that we are known for.

“Let us be united, the more united we stand, the stronger we become. Enough of these divisive tendencies by our directors,” Mr Baruwa told the members.  

Recall that in March 2021, the Ondo government ordered an ‘indefinite suspension’ of activities of NURTW in the state, following a leadership tussle. 

The death of one person during the fracas prompted the government to order the immediate vacation of the union members from motor parks across the state. 

Announcing the suspension, Doyin Odebowale, then Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the Governor, said the decision was based on the unruly behaviour of the union leaders.

Following the suspension, the state government set up a Park Management Committee in April 2022, to manage all motor parks in the state, citing a protracted leadership crisis for its action. 

In an attempt to override the decision of the state government, Mr Baruwa asked all the warring factions within the union to sheath their swords.

He told them to resume to their union’s secretariat, which had been placed under lock and key since 2022. 

He said the court had granted NURTW the right to reopen its secretariat at the Igoba area of Akure, and to operate within parks belonging to them across the state. 

In a swift reaction on Sunday, the Ondo government maintained that there was no going back on its position on park management issue in the state, saying that the NURTW does not exist in the state.

The government position was contained in a letter issued and signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure. 

In a letter obtained by The Gazette and addressed to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeleye said there was “verified intelligence” that the NURTW members plan to unleash terror in various part of the state by Monday.

“I wish to inform you that we have verified intelligence that members of the Ondo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which had been proscribed by a Court ruling, have perfected plans to unleash terror in various parts of the State particularly in Akure, the State capital, on Monday, 12th June 2023, which coincides with the commemoration of Democracy Day across the country.

“You will recall that a Parks Management Committee had been set up to oversee the activities of NURTW in view of the perennial crises occasioned by some of their activities which have become a threat to public peace and safety. It is shocking to note that some of the self-acclaimed Committee Members of the State NURTW forcefully opened the Igoba branch Office where any activity, to all intents and purposes, remains part of the operations suspended by the government. While arrests are yet to be made, Government cannot allow such brigandage to continue unchecked.

“It is thus in line with the avowed commitment of the current Administration under the able leadership of Arakurin Olywaretimi Akaredoku, SAN, CON, to ensure the protection of Ives and property that proactive steps should be taken to forestall any further breakdown of law and order,” the letter read in part. 

The letter was also copied to the State Security Service (SSS), Army, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps. 

Recall that the National body of the NURTW had challenged the decision of the government in court through the Akure branch of Human Rights Defender, Active Success & Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) over the closure of the state secretariat and forceful take over of parks belonging to the union.

The court had granted the union rights to reopen its secretariat at Igoba in Akure and freedom to operate within parks belonging to them across the state.

Following the court ruling, the NURTW national secretariat set up a Caretaker Committee led by Oluwatoyin Olaoye to coordinate the affairs of the union, just as the Ondo government set up park management committee headed by the disbanded NURTW State Chairman, Jacob ‘Idajo’ Adebo to manage all parks in the state.