Baruwa Dislodges MC Oluomo, Takes Control of NURTW Secretariat, Cites Court
Tajudeen Baruwa, former president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has taken control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja after dislodging Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, citing multiple court rulings in his favour.
In November 2024, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Baruwa as NURTW president, upholding an earlier judgment by the National Industrial Court, which had reinstated him for a second term in March.
Justice O.O. Oyewumi of the National Industrial Court had validated the zonal delegates’ conference held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa was re-elected. The court also recognised the quadrennial national delegates’ conference of August 23, 2023, as the legitimate forum for inaugurating national officers.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Najeem Yasin, Tajudeen Agbede, and others who claimed leadership of the union filed an appeal (CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024), challenging the decision that recognised Baruwa as president.
However, in a judgment delivered on November 8, a three-member panel of justices led by Hamma Barka dismissed the appeal and awarded ₦100,000 in costs against the appellants. The ruling also nullified the election of MC Oluomo as union president, which had taken place at the union’s zonal secretariat along the Osogbo–Ikirun road in Osun State on November 9.
Nearly two years later, Baruwa moved to assume control of the NURTW secretariat on Monday, stating that his actions were in line with the court judgments.
“Today, as you can see, we are taking over peacefully. This is not a forceful takeover but the execution of court orders,” Baruwa said.
He added that his return followed prolonged non-compliance with the rulings.
“We are resuming after nearly two years to occupy our office, having secured judgments at both the lower court and the Court of Appeal. Despite waiting, those involved refused to comply. We have now resumed without violence,” he said.
Baruwa alleged that members of the opposing faction attacked one of his supporters, who is currently hospitalised, but maintained that the situation remains under control.
“We remain open to reconciliation. We are a lawful organisation, not troublemakers. No one is above the law,” he added.
He further disclosed that the police had been formally notified ahead of the move but expressed disappointment with their response.
“Their body language has not been encouraging, despite our assurances that we are not out to cause trouble. We are simply reclaiming what belongs to us through lawful means,” he said.
Corroborating his position, Suleiman Musa, general secretary of the Baruwa-led faction, said the takeover followed several failed attempts to remove those he described as illegally occupying the premises.
“We informed the police, based on the court’s directive, that we would return to our office today. We are pleased that journalists are here to witness this, so the public can see what is happening,” Musa said.