The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, has regained control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, following a previous takeover by a rival faction.
According to a video broadcast by TVC on X, MC Oluomo went to the secretariat to examine damaged property after recovering control of the building.
The development comes just hours after a faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa took the secretariat on Monday, claiming alleged court orders in his favor.
Speaking to journalists after taking over, Baruwa asserted that his actions were supported by genuine court decisions.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble, as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belongs to us,” he said.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders,” he added.
Baruwa stated that the union had formally notified the police, attaching copies of the judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat, but claimed the response was not encouraging.
“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the appeal court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are.
He said that a member of his faction was attacked during the procedure.
“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation, as we are a lawful organization and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law,” Baruwa stated.
Akinsanya responded in a statement posted on his Instagram profile on Monday, describing the occurrence as a “forceful takeover” and stating that legal proceedings were still on.
He noted that he was not a defendant in the judgment relied upon by Baruwa and disclosed that the ruling had been appealed, with a stay of execution already in place.
“The National President wishes to inform members of the union and the general public that he was not a defendant in the purported judgment.
“The judgment has been appealed, and a stay of execution has been duly entered. He has not engaged with Mr. Baruwa or any individual, aware that cases are pending in court.
“The situation is under the control of security agencies. Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya remains the National President of NURTW,” the statement read.
Akinsanya charged embers of the union to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as the dispute continues to unfold.
