The Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) aligned with the Accord Party and the Imole Campaign Council (TICC) have officially rejected the recent suspension of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This move was initially announced by an opposing faction of ALGON associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Both groups suggest that efforts to take over motor parks are politically driven maneuvers ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Otunba Sarafadeen Abiodun Awotunde, the ALGON chairman, declared the suspension order invalid and unconstitutional. He asserted that those claiming to represent ALGON and issuing these directives lack any legal standing or constitutional authority. Awotunde emphasized that overseeing transport union activities is the jurisdiction of the state’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not local government chairmen. He urged the public and union members to ignore the order and continue their operations safely.
Separately, TICC spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi accused APC-linked individuals of inciting violence by attempting to forcefully seize motor parks in Osogbo. The council views these actions as a deliberate attempt by the APC to intimidate voters. TICC has called for security agencies to maintain neutrality and provide clarity regarding the deployment of officers during these incidents. They encouraged the electorate to remain focused on the upcoming peaceful and credible poll despite the rising tensions.
This dispute follows an earlier announcement by Lanre Balogun, the APC-aligned ALGON vice chairman, who justified the suspension of transport union activities by citing recurring violence and leadership conflicts within the NURTW.
