The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, on Tuesday regained control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja following a brief takeover by a rival faction.
Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, visited the secretariat shortly after reclaiming the facility to assess damage to property. The development marks a fresh twist in the ongoing leadership crisis within one of Nigeria’s most influential transport unions.
The incident comes just hours after a faction of the union led by Tajudeen Baruwa took over the same office on Monday, claiming to be acting on court orders.
Baruwa and his supporters had earlier occupied the secretariat, insisting that their actions were lawful and based on judgments from both a lower court and the Court of Appeal.
Speaking to journalists during the takeover, Baruwa said his group acted peacefully and within the law.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble,” he said.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner. It is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders.”
He explained that his faction had waited for about two years after securing favourable judgments before deciding to move into the office.
According to him, the union had also notified the police and submitted copies of the court rulings to support their action, though he claimed the response from security agencies was not satisfactory.
“Please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office. We decided to resume at the office today without causing any violence,” he added.
However, Baruwa alleged that one of his members was attacked during the process and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Despite this, he said his group remains open to reconciliation.
“We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organisation and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law,” he said.
In response, Akinsanya described the action by the rival faction as a “forceful takeover” and insisted that the legal process is still ongoing.
In a statement shared on his social media page, he said he was not a party to the court judgment being relied upon by Baruwa.
“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 statement read.
He also disclosed that the judgment had been appealed and that a stay of execution had already been granted, meaning the ruling should not be enforced until the appeal is decided.
“The judgment has been appealed, and a stay of execution has been duly entered,” he said.
Akinsanya maintained that he remains the legitimate National President of the union and urged members to remain calm and law-abiding.
The situation at the secretariat has drawn attention from security agencies, with officials reportedly monitoring developments to prevent violence.
Although no major clash was reported during Tuesday’s takeover by Akinsanya, the tension between the two factions remains high.
The NURTW is one of Nigeria’s most powerful labour unions, representing commercial drivers and transport workers across the country. It plays a key role in managing motor parks, collecting levies, and regulating transport activities, especially in major cities.
Because of its influence and financial strength, leadership positions within the union are often highly contested.
The current crisis is part of a long-running dispute over who controls the national leadership of the union. Over the years, disagreements over elections, court rulings, and political alliances have led to repeated conflicts within the organisation.
MC Oluomo, a well-known figure in Lagos transport circles, rose to national prominence through his activities in the union. His emergence as national president followed internal changes that were not accepted by all members, leading to the formation of rival factions.
Baruwa’s faction has consistently challenged Akinsanya’s leadership in court, claiming that due process was not followed in his emergence.
At the heart of the dispute is a series of court cases, with both sides claiming legal backing for their positions.
While Baruwa insists that court judgments support his claim to the leadership, Akinsanya argues that those rulings are either not binding on him or have been appealed.
This legal uncertainty has created confusion and made it difficult to determine which faction has the stronger claim.
The leadership crisis within the NURTW has wider implications for Nigeria’s transport sector.
In many parts of the country, especially in cities like Lagos and Abuja, the union plays a major role in maintaining order at motor parks and ensuring smooth transport operations.
Any instability within the union can disrupt these activities, affecting commuters, drivers, and businesses that depend on road transport.
There are also concerns that prolonged disputes could lead to clashes between supporters of different factions, which may threaten public safety.
Both factions have called for calm, even as they continue to assert their claims.
Akinsanya urged members to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could lead to violence.
Similarly, Baruwa said his group is not interested in causing trouble and is open to dialogue.
As the situation unfolds, attention is likely to focus on the courts, where the final decision on the leadership dispute will be made.
For now, MC Oluomo’s return to the secretariat signals a temporary shift in control, but the underlying conflict remains unresolved.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the union can move past the crisis or face further internal divisions.