Development story..Crisis: MC Oluomo, Lagos NURTW break away from national body

Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, alias MC Oluomo, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council, has announced the resignation of members of the state council, including himself, from the national body. On Thursday, he made the announcement at the state secretariat in Agege.

This comes just hours after Akinsanya was suspended by NURTW headquarters for alleged insubordination.

Oluomo MC Oluomo remarked, "There has been some crisis in our umbrella organisation, NURTW," in his address headlined "Crisis in NURTW." All attempts to reach an acceptable agreement have been unsuccessful. Indeed, we have expressed our displeasure with the state of affairs in our union to the Lagos State Government. We have decided to explore all avenues for peace in the interest of all, as law abiding and responsible citizens. We will not support any action that threatens the peace that we so dearly cherish in Lagos State.

"Therefore, on behalf of the State Administrative Council, State Executive Council members, and the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council with over 200 branches and zones, I, Comrade Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, hereby resolve to withdraw our membership and operations from the National body of NURTW for peace to reign in Lagos State; write to Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation."

"It is important to note that our actions are in accordance with section 40 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 constitution (as amended), which states: "Every person shall have the right to freely assemble and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or association for the protection of his or her interests." This means that anyone can join a group and leave whenever they want, without fear of being harassed.

"In light of this and the current crisis, the Lagos State Government is hereby invited to consider section 5C of its white paper on Transport Union activities from 2004, which states that the government should take over management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until the crisis is resolved by the consultative committee. "We hereby call on Lagos State Government to take over the Union's affairs with the formation of a Park Management Committee