NURTW Declares the Quadrennial Delegates Conference Illegal and Announces Key Appointments

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has again declared the Quadrennial National Delegates Conference organized by the Najeem Yasin and Tajudeen Agbede-led group as illegal and unconstitutional.

This announcement came in a statement issued by the incumbent President, Tajudeen Baruwa, during a meeting held to celebrate the retirement of Comrade Anthony Chikudi Asogwa from the union’s service.

Baruwa stressed that the union had adhered to all constitutional requirements in conducting its 10th national quadrennial delegate conference, which took place in August 2023 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He said the national officers were duly sworn in and inaugurated in accordance with the union’s constitution.

The NURTW’s constitution specifies that the National Delegates Conference should occur every four years in August, making the October date for the conference organized by the dissident group a clear violation of the union’s constitution.

The President further pointed out that the constitution does not provide for an acting president when there is already a substantive president in office.

President Baruwa strongly condemned the dissident group’s delegates’ conference, where Isa Ore was sworn in as Deputy President and instructed to act as president.

He called on union members, the general public, and relevant authorities to disregard the conference, emphasizing its lack of legitimacy and its unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void nature.

In his closing statements, President Baruwa highlighted the dissident group’s unfounded criticisms of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its leadership.

He recalled that the NLC had previously resolved the union’s crisis in 1999, and their leader was elected as Deputy President of NLC for two terms, representing the NURTW.

The NURTW also expressed concerns about an agreement with the federal government through the NLC, with a commitment to resolve the union’s issues by October 13, 2023.

However, the disruptive actions of the dissident group, often characterized by thuggish behavior, hindered a scheduled meeting with the federal Ministry of Labour on October 12, 2023. The NURTW believes that the Minister of Labour has been compromised, and their concerns were validated by the minister’s interactions with the dissident group.

Also, Baruwa commended Comrade Asogwa for his unwavering dedication and loyalty to the NURTW during his years of service, marking a historic moment in the union’s history. President Baruwa expressed his gratitude to Comrade Asogwa and encouraged him to remain available for future service to the administration.

In light of Comrade Asogwa’s retirement, the NURTW has appointed Brother Suleiman Abdulkadir Musa as the acting General Secretary, starting from Monday, October 30, 2023. The President called on all members to support and collaborate with Brother Musa as he assumes his new role, filling the void left by Comrade Asogwa’s departure.

NURTW further called on all its members, relevant authorities, and the general public to dismiss the actions and claims of the dissident group, asserting that their actions are illegal and not recognized by the union’s constitution.