The leadership tussle within the National Union of Road Transport Workers escalated as Tajudeen Baruwa took over the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya after a series of court rulings altered the union’s leadership structure.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Baruwa, surrounded by supporters, said his move was backed by judgments from both the lower court and the Court of Appeal affirming his position as president. He explained that the union had earlier notified the Nigeria Police Force, attaching court rulings to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat, but received little cooperation.
According to him, a fresh notice was later issued declaring the union’s intention to reclaim its office in line with the judgments. He maintained that the takeover was peaceful and aimed solely at enforcing court orders, despite alleging that a member of his faction was attacked during the process.
Baruwa stressed that his group remained open to reconciliation, insisting that no individual is above the law. The union’s General Secretary, Suleiman Musa, also said repeated appeals to those occupying the premises were ignored, leaving them with no choice but to act.
Court rulings from the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal had earlier recognised Baruwa as the duly elected president, while dismissing opposing claims linked to allies of Akinsanya, reinforcing his authority over the union’s leadership.
