Musiliu Akinsanya, the famous transport unionist, is yet to be announced as the national president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) twenty-four hours after news of his election broke......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Insiders explained this is due to two main reasons: sticking to guidelines and ongoing litigation.
Contrary to reports circulating yesterday, the transport union boss, widely known as MC Oluomo, was elected as National President by the southwest region on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
The election, held at the transport union body’s southwest zonal secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, is part of the constitutional requirement in selecting a national president.
“A candidate must first win his region’s election before he can become President; that is the rule. MC Oluomo’s election on Saturday fulfills that guideline,” an insider explained.
Findings revealed that since the zonal president is zoned to his region, Oluomo has achieved a vital requirement in his lifelong ambition.
However, he now faces two major hurdles.
The first is litigation from Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the man he helped to become NURTW president in 2019.
Baruwa and MC Oluomo have become adversaries, locked in a battle for supremacy.
“Each region is required to serve two terms of four years each. Baruwa has completed four of the cumulative eight years and is fighting to prevent MC Oluomo from taking the seat from him. He has taken the matter to court and recently won at the Appeal Court,” insiders disclosed.
Information revealed that Baruwa’s victory at the Appeal Court is what is delaying the final process that would establish MC Oluomo as the national president of the NURTW —ratification by the board of trustees and other top-level stakeholders.
Baruwa is backed in the legal battle by the Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“The situation has become complicated. The Court of Appeal granted victory to Baruwa, but he lacks the eligibility to serve a second term according to the NURTW constitution. MC Oluomo meets this requirement with Saturday’s election, but the transport union’s BOT is trying to navigate the situation,” sources in the know explained.