Tajudeen Baruwa NURTW reclaims union secretariat in Abuja following court rulings, ending a two-year leadership dispute with MC Oluomo faction
Tajudeen Baruwa has taken control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers’ national secretariat in Abuja, ousting Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
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The move followed a series of court rulings affirming Baruwa as the legitimate president of the union.
Addressing journalists at the secretariat on Monday, Baruwa, flanked by supporters from across the country, said the takeover was lawful and backed by judgments from both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are law-abiding and here to reclaim what belongs to us,” Baruwa said.
“Today, we are taking over peacefully, not by force, following court orders after waiting two years.”
The General Secretary of the Baruwa-led faction, Suleiman Musa, added that repeated appeals to the other group occupying the premises had been ignored.
“We have notified the police and are glad journalists are here to witness that we are lawfully resuming office,” he said.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023, recognised Baruwa as the duly elected president of NURTW.
The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling on 8 November 2024, dismissing the appeal filed by MC Oluomo’s loyalists, including Najeem Usman Yasin and Tajudeen Agbede, and awarded N100,000 in costs against them.
Despite minor scuffles, including an attack on one of Baruwa’s supporters, the union said the situation remained under control. Baruwa reiterated his faction’s commitment to lawful operations and openness to reconciliation.
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The takeover marks a decisive moment in a leadership crisis that has divided the union for two years, with the courts affirming the authority of Tajudeen Baruwa over the NURTW.
