Some aggrieved members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by a national officer, Comrade Uwem James, has stated that a court judgment obtained by the former president of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, is diversionary and cannot be implemented.
James, a former chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Union, stated this while presenting a copy of petition he and others wrote to various government agencies to the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi at the NURTW national headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Comrade James, the judgment obtained by Baruwa was obtained against the wrong parties and in defiance of various court orders.
He said Baruwa had conducted elections for the union leadership despite a court order to maintain the status quo.
He said, “The national vice president of the union Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede (2019 – 2023) and five others from from South West had on 12th April, 2023 filed an action in suit No NICN/LA/111/2023 at Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court challenged the eligibility of Baruwa to hold election based on the ground that Ogun state government ( Baruwa home state) had barred the union from operating. NURTW was non existence in Ogun state, hence he could not claim to representing the state.
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“Also, the Court ordered parties in the case in Lagos Division to maintain status quo pending hearing and determination of all pending applications including interlocutory injunctions to restraint conduct of any election by the union. The applications are still pending till today.
“But Baruwa in a contemptuous manner and despite being aware of this order defied same and went ahead to declare himself president of the union without recourse to the Union’s Constitution and originating summons.
James, from the South-South zone of the country and who also served as a former national financial secretary under Baruwa, stated that the Union has several pending court cases challenging Baruwa’s eligibility to hold office and the legitimacy of the elections conducted by him.
He called on the relevant authorities including the Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of State Security, to disregard the judgment and allow the pending court cases to run their course.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the NURTW has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with two factions vying for control of the union. The crisis has led to tensions and conflicts among members with some calling for a peaceful resolution.
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