The national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has rejected the Osun State Government’s suspension of the union’s activities, insisting that Governor Ademola Adeleke has no constitutional authority to halt its operations in the state.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has dismissed the Osun State Government’s directive suspending the union’s activities across motor parks in the state, describing the action as unconstitutional.
The union’s position comes barely a day after Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered the suspension of NURTW activities following violent clashes between rival factions in Osogbo.
‘No Governor Has Such Power’ — MC Oluomo
Speaking through the union’s Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, NURTW National President Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) said no state governor has the legal authority to suspend the operations of the union.
According to him, the NURTW was established by an Act of law and has previously secured favourable court judgments against similar actions by state governments.
“No state governor has the power to suspend the activities of the union because we are not under any state government,” the union said.
Caretaker Committee Inaugurated
The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun State pending the resolution of the leadership crisis in the state chapter.
Kazeem Oyewale (Asiri Eniba) was named chairman of the committee, alongside six other members who will manage the union’s affairs ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
Osun Government Stands Its Ground
Despite the NURTW’s position, the Osun State Government maintained that the suspension of union activities remains in force.
The government clarified that it did not dissolve the existing NURTW leadership but merely suspended all union activities in motor parks to restore peace following recent violence.
It also said it would not recognise the caretaker committee announced by the national leadership.
Security Concerns Behind Suspension
Governor Adeleke had directed security agencies to halt all NURTW operations in motor parks, stop the collection of levies and arrest anyone operating in the name of the union while the suspension remains in effect.
The directive followed violent clashes between rival factions that reportedly caused panic in parts of Osogbo.