The leadership tussle within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) escalated on Monday as Tajudeen Baruwa assumed control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya following a series of court rulings affirming his position.
Baruwa, who arrived at the secretariat with supporters from across the country, told journalists that his takeover was in strict compliance with judicial pronouncements recognising him as the legitimate president of the union.
According to him, multiple court decisions—including rulings from the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal—had validated his leadership, but were allegedly ignored by the opposing faction for nearly two years.
“We are not here to cause trouble. We are simply enforcing court orders and reclaiming what rightfully belongs to us,” Baruwa said, stressing that the move was peaceful and lawful.
He disclosed that the union had formally notified the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the action, attaching certified copies of the judgments.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the response of security authorities, which he described as unconvincing.
Despite the tension, Baruwa maintained that his faction remains open to reconciliation, even as he alleged that one of his members was attacked during the process and is currently hospitalised.
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Backing the action, the union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, said repeated efforts to persuade those occupying the secretariat to vacate had failed, leaving them with no option but to act on the court’s directive.
The crisis stems from a prolonged dispute over the leadership of the union, with Baruwa consistently challenging the emergence of Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, as president.
Earlier rulings by the National Industrial Court had affirmed Baruwa’s election, while the Court of Appeal upheld the decision, dismissing challenges filed by rival claimants and reinforcing his authority as the union’s leader.
The latest development signals a decisive shift in the power struggle within the NURTW, though concerns remain over the potential for further unrest if both factions fail to reach common ground.