Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, the president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has charged Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labor and Employment, with prejudice in the ongoing reconciliation process.
Baruwa asserted that Lalong is supporting the Union group led by Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.
He made the accusation in a statement released in Abuja by Comrade Anthony Asogwa Chukwudi, the Union’s general secretary.
Baruwa stated that the Minister held a secret meeting with the Agbede faction of the Union on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and allegedly advised them to arrange a fresh National Quadrennial Delegates Conference. Baruwa argued that such advice contravenes the Union’s constitution, particularly Article 8 Section 2 (1)
“Recall that our constitution, approved by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, stipulates that the quadrennial delegates conference of the union shall be held in August of every four years,” said Chukwudi.
Speaking further, the President of the Union claimed that a trusted source who attended the meeting but wished to remain anonymous revealed that the Minister explicitly encouraged the Agbede group to proceed with the new conference, asserting that they should not allow the Union to disintegrate because of one person.
“When such a statement comes from a government official expected to be an unbiased umpire, it only worsens the Union’s problem,” Baruwa lamented.
The President also noted his shock upon discovering that the Agbede-led group continues to operate at the National Secretariat of the Union, despite a directive from Minister Lalong on October 9, 2023, that suspended all operations of both factions.
Baruwa subsequently called on Minister Lalong to reconsider his actions and avoid further jeopardizing the reconciliation process within the Union.
“It is most unfortunate and unbecoming of the Minister, a lawyer, to be seen supporting or laying credence to lawlessness and ‘civilian coup d’état’,” he stated.
