NURTW crisis festers as leaders disclaim 2023 delegate conference

NURTW crisis festers as leaders disclaim 2023 delegate conference

Leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) have called on the general public, especially those in the nation’s labour circle, to disregard a purported delegate conference in Nasarawa State, describing it as illegal and an affront on the police authorities.

Men of the Nigeria police last week arrested the President of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, for reportedly importing thugs into the Federal Capital Territory.

They also sealed off the union’s secretariat to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

But Baruwa in a statement on Thursday said he was re-elected president of the union and sworn in along with other new executive members at the 10th quadrennial delegate conference held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday.

Reacting to the situation, the National Vice President of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, said the public should disregard any rumour concerning any delegate conference.

He spoke on Thursday, saying, “There was no delegate conference anywhere. It is all rumour. The tenure of our administration will expire on 28 August, 2023 and after that a new leadership will emerge.

“If they tell you they held any delegate conference, ask them to provide a proof. There must be press coverage both newspapers and television coverage as standard. There must be pictures and video coverage of the event. They have to show evidences.

“NURTW is national organization and when it holds its delegate conference, the whole world must know.

“The standard practice is to invite the NTA, Channels and other prominent national TV stations as well as national newspapers to cover the event live.”

He appealed to members to remain calm and continue to support his ambition to rescue the union from maladministration of last four years.