The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, on Tuesday took possession of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja following an earlier occupation by a rival faction.
According to a video shared by TVC on X, Akinsanya visited the secretariat to inspect damaged property after regaining control of the facility.
The development comes hours after a faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa occupied the secretariat on Monday, citing court rulings in his favour.
Speaking to journalists after taking control, Baruwa insisted that his actions were legally justified.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurances that we are law-abiding and only seeking what belongs to us,” he said. “But today, we are taking over peacefully. This is not a forceful takeover; we are simply executing the court’s orders.”
Baruwa said the union had formally notified the police, attaching copies of the judgments to facilitate the recovery of the secretariat, but claimed the response was inadequate.
“After waiting for about two years for compliance with both lower and Appeal Court judgments, we decided to resume office today without causing violence,” he said.
He added that one of his faction members was attacked during the process but stressed that the situation remained under control. “Although a member of our faction was hospitalized following an attack, we remain open to reconciliation. No one is above the law,” he said.
Reacting to the takeover, Akinsanya described the incident as a “forceful takeover” and reiterated that legal processes are ongoing. He stated that he was not a defendant in the judgment cited by Baruwa and confirmed that the ruling had been appealed, with a stay of execution in place.
“The National President wishes to inform union members and the public that he was not involved in the purported judgment. The case has been appealed, and a stay of execution is in effect. Security agencies have the situation under control. Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya remains the National President of NURTW,” his statement read.
Akinsanya urged members to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding as the dispute continues to unfold.
