Clash over leadership crisis erupts at NURTW National Secretariat in Abuja

Violence erupted in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday as two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed in Abuja.

The incident highlights an ongoing dispute within the NURTW that requires immediate intervention from the federal government to prevent further deterioration of law and order, particularly in the nation’s capital.

The clash occurred when supporters of NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa, marched towards the union’s national headquarters, which is currently occupied by the Lagos Park Management Committee led by Tajudeen Agbede.

Baruwa had previously sought the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Labour Congress to resolve the situation, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

“We shall henceforth not hesitate to defend our mandate with the last drop of our blood,” Baruwa had earlier vowed while accusing former NURTW leaders of illegally occupying the National Secretariat of the union.

He stressed that only a court of competent jurisdiction can invalidate his mandate, and encouraged aggrieved members to follow due process and seek legal redress, warning that anything short of this could lead to anarchy.

He further accused the former president of the union, Najeem Yasin, and Agbede, the former National Vice President, of holding illegal meetings with selected past leaders of the union.

While calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to intervene in the matter, he alleged that the police seem to be working in favour of the Lagos Park Management Committee.