NURTW leadership tussle: MC Oluomo reclaims Abuja secretariat, assesses damages + Video

The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, on Tuesday took possession of the union’s National Secretariat in Abuja following a forceful takeover by a rival faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa.

MC Oluomo visited the secretariat to assess the extent of damage to property after the facility was recovered.

A video shared by TVC News on X showed the union leader inspecting affected areas within the premises.

Shortly after the assessment, he held a meeting with executive members from Kaduna State, even as security personnel and supporters remained stationed at the secretariat to maintain order.

The development comes hours after a faction led by Baruwa occupied the secretariat on Monday, citing court rulings said to be in his favour.

Speaking to journalists after taking control, Baruwa insisted that his actions were backed by valid court judgments.

“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble, as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belongs to us,” he said.

“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders,” he added.

Baruwa said the union had formally notified the police, attaching copies of the judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat, but claimed the response was not encouraging.

“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years.“We decided to resume at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are,” he said.

He, however, alleged that a member of his faction was attacked during the process.“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control.“We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organisation and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law,” Baruwa stated.

Reacting to the development in a statement posted on his Instagram page, Akinsanya described the incident as a “forceful takeover”, insisting that due legal processes regarding the leadership tussle were still ongoing.

He clarified that he was not a defendant in the judgement being relied upon by the Baruwa-led faction, adding that the ruling had already been appealed with a stay of execution secured.

“The National President wishes to inform members of the union and the general public that he was not a defendant in the purported judgement.“The judgement has been appealed, and a stay of execution has been duly entered.

He has not engaged with Mr Baruwa or any individual, aware that cases are pending in court.“The situation is under the control of security agencies. Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya remains the National President of NURTW,” the statement read.

He, however, urged members of the union to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as the dispute continues to unfold.

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