JUST IN: 10 years after, two NURTW rivals, Tokyo and Auxiliary meet in Ibadan

Former Oyo NURTW leaders, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila and Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, during their meeting in Ibadan, on Sunday, March 17, 2019

As politics within the ranks of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State chapter, gets thicker, two rival former union leaders, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, popularly called Tokyo, Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila, also known as Auxiliary, met on Sunday, behind closed-door at the Akobo residence of Alhaji Akinsola.

Tribune Online gathered that Akinsola, a former state chairman of the union, had put a call through to Mukaila, also a former deputy state chairman, who led the team that overthrew Akinsola, as the state chairman of the union around 10 years ago.

Mukaila, who later became the deputy state chairman to the late chairman of the union in the state, Lateef Salako, also known as Eleweomo,

It was Salako who succeeded Alhaji Akinsola.

Auxiliary, with his team arrived the Akobo residence of Alhaji Akinsola to a rousing welcome at exactly 5:07 p.m, just as both leaders had a brief meeting amidst the joyful members of the union before the duo went indoors for a 20-minute meeting.

Before they left for the closed-door meeting, Mukaila assured the former chairman that he remains the father of all members of the union in the state.

“All members of NURTW in this state, both living and dead started from this house, no one can deny it. I was very happy when you called me yesterday (Saturday).

“Sir, I have not taken any offence against you, rather. I consider whatever happened in that past as sacrifices for leading our union. Anybody that have the privilege of being an officer in the state must remember that we all started under your tutelage as I am ready to give you that honour in due course.”

A former branch officer of the union in Ibadan North-West local government, Alhaji Kolawole Alatise, shedding light on the reunion of former rival leaders, said the move was a welcome development that will right all wrongs in the union.

On the fear that it could cause crisis within the union in the state, Alatise debunked the insinuation, saying, rather, it will mend any crisis that had existed in the union.

S-Davies Wande