In a twist that has rocked the leadership dynamics of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), a faction within the union has flagrantly disregarded a series of court rulings by inaugurating Mr. Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the new National President. This move comes despite clear judicial decisions affirming that Comrade Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa remains the legally recognized president until 2027.
The controversy erupted after the legally binding judgment by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on March 11, 2024, which unequivocally dissolved the illegal caretaker committee formed by a dissident faction led by former NURTW President Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin. The court’s decision, subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal on November 8, 2024, left no doubt that Comrade Baruwa’s election as president of the union in 2023 was valid and that his tenure should continue uninterrupted until the next scheduled elections in 2027.
However, in a blatant defiance of this judicial verdict, elements within the union convened an unsanctioned meeting and declared MC Oluomo as their new president. This shocking development has prompted Tolu Babaeleye & Co., the firm of solicitors representing Comrade Baruwa, to hold a press conference and issue a stern press release on January 28, 2025.
In the press statement, Tolu Babaeleye, speaking on behalf of Comrade Baruwa, condemned the actions of the faction led by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and his cohorts. “We at Tolu Babaeleye & Co. call this press conference as a last resort to let the world know about how some elements—suspected to be backed by high-ranking Government officials from the Villa—are claiming to be above the law by refusing to vacate the National Office of the NURTW,” the statement read. The office, located at Sapele Street, Plot 1236, Garki 2, Abuja, continues to be occupied by the legally recognized leadership under Comrade Baruwa despite the fraudulent inauguration of MC Oluomo.
The press release detailed the timeline of events, noting that the controversy began when Comrade Baruwa was duly sworn in as the National President of NURTW in 2023, in full compliance with the union’s constitution. Dissatisfied with the election results, a faction headed by former President Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin orchestrated a rebellion by forming a caretaker committee. This group, allegedly supported by certain members of the Nigerian Police Force and touts, forcefully expelled the legitimate leadership from the union’s headquarters.
Rather than resorting to violence, Comrade Baruwa chose the path of law, instituting a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. In a landmark judgment, Hon. Justice O.O. Oyewumi delivered a ruling in Baruwa’s favor, dissolving the illegal caretaker committee and reaffirming his position as the union’s National President. Undeterred, Alhaji Yasin subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. However, the higher court dismissed his appeal on November 8, 2024, cementing the legal status of Comrade Baruwa’s presidency and barring Yasin and his supporters from further interfering in the union’s day-to-day operations.
Despite these unequivocal court decisions, the faction persisted. “We are witnessing a clear abuse of the court process,” Tolu Babaeleye stated during the press conference. “The fact that they have gone ahead to inaugurate MC Oluomo as the National President, in blatant defiance of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, is a desperate attempt to cling to power and disrupt the unity of the union.”
The press release accused the faction of acting with impunity, relying on alleged backing from powerful government officials, a claim that has intensified scrutiny over the integrity of the union’s internal governance. Tolu Babaeleye urged the Federal Government to intervene decisively: “We call on the President, Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, Director General of the State Security Service, Attorney General, and Minister of Justice to call these usurpers and lawbreakers to order. MC Oluomo is not the President of NURTW, as there is no vacancy in the office until 2027.”
This development has not only rattled the union’s internal structure but also raised concerns among transport workers and industry stakeholders nationwide. The NURTW plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, and its leadership crisis has the potential to disrupt the operations of one of the country’s largest organized labor groups. Many observers fear that if the government fails to take prompt action, the ongoing internal strife could lead to wider instability in the transport sector, affecting the daily lives of millions of Nigerians who rely on road transport services.
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The legal wrangling and the unsanctioned inauguration have also sparked intense debate within political circles and on social media, where commentators have denounced the actions of the rogue faction as “an affront to the rule of law” and “a blatant attempt to undermine democracy within the union.”
