Leadership Crisis Deepens as Tajudeen Baruwa Faction Seizes NURTW National Secretariat

By Babatunji Wusu

The long-standing leadership tussle within the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW) reached a fever pitch on Monday morning. In a bold move that has sent ripples through the transport sector, the faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa successfully took control of the union’s national secretariat located in Abuja. The takeover marks a dramatic shift in the ongoing power struggle that has divided the organization for months.

Witnesses reported that members loyal to Baruwa stormed the headquarters to assert their claim over the union’s administration. This physical reclamation of the office comes as a direct challenge to the rival faction headed by Ayinde Akinsanya, who is more widely recognized by his popular moniker, MC Oluomo. Although MC Oluomo was elected as the National President during a convention in November 2024, his path to leadership has been mired in intense legal scrutiny and opposition.

The roots of Monday’s confrontation lie in a significant court ruling that previously favored Tajudeen Baruwa in the legal battle for the presidency. Despite this judicial intervention, the Akinsanya-led executive had continued to operate and perform official duties from the Abuja secretariat until this recent displacement. The situation highlights a growing friction between different arms of the union regarding the interpretation and enforcement of legal mandates.

As the Baruwa faction settles into the national headquarters, the atmosphere remains tense within the nation’s capital. Security observers and union members alike are watching closely to see how the opposing side will respond and whether the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW) can find a peaceful resolution to this high-stakes administrative crisis. For now, the keys to the union’s central operations have changed hands, signaling a new, albeit uncertain, chapter in its governance.

Do you believe the intervention of the courts is enough to permanently settle leadership disputes in Nigerian trade unions?

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