Oyo State governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday stated that he would not interfere with the affairs of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state when he eventually takes over in May.

He stated this while featuring on a live Yoruba talk show on Lagelu FM, Ibadan.

He stated this as the union plans to elect a new leadership in the second half of the year. Besides, transition from one administration to the other has usually ended in crisis, with violence in some states and their parks.

In Oyo State, the union had been synonymous with violence and brigandage linked to government interference. The last eight years under Governor Abiola Ajimobi have however been largely peaceful, and residents are hoping that the transition this year will happen with put break down of law and order.

Makinde, who will be governor by the time the transition will be happening, now assures that he would allow the union to choose its leaders and run its affairs without government interference, but will be tough on anyone who tries to disturb public peace in the name of NURTW.

He however promised to make the union a vital partner in the development of the state.

Speaking in Yoruba, he added: “I want to appeal to those at the garages because am beginning to hear that some of them are beginning to struggle for garages even when there is a legitimate leadership on ground.

“Please, even if there is a new leadership, it will not come in by force. And I want to warn that, I won’t say, you voted for Makinde, the law will take its course on anyone who tries to disturb the peace of the land.”

Alhaji Abideen Olajide a.k.a Ejiogbe is currently the Acting Chairman of the union in Oyo Stat. He took over in August last year immediately after the death of former chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde a.k.a Fele.

A statement issued then by the NURTW National President, Alhaji Nojeem Yasin, said Ejiogbe would be acting in place of the late chairman who died after battling with a protracted illness.