Ondo: NURTW Members Raise Alarm Over Alleged Plans To Swear In Idajo Tomorrow

Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Leadership crisis rocking the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo state is heightened as members uncovered alleged plans by the Ondo state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to put pressure on the national body of the union to swear in the embattled former chairman of the union, Mr Jacob Adebo also known as Idajo on Thursday (tomorrow) against court injunction.

The Union in a letter addressed to Aiyedatiwa and made available to journalists urged the deputy governor to desist from going ahead to swear in Idajo as the state of the union.

The letter dated 8th of February, 2022 was signed by the Union’s counsel, Akinyemi Omoware and titled ‘RE: SUIT NO: NICN/AK/O3/2022: NATIONAL UNION OF ROAD TRANSPORT WORKERS (ONDO STATE) & ORS V. PROF. TAJUDEEN IBIKUNLE BARUWA & ORS: REQUEST TO RESTRAIN FROM IMPOSING A CANDIDATE.

The letter reads: “Regrettably, we have been informed that your office is mounting pressure on the National Chairman of the National Union of Road transport Workers to disregarding the pending suit and impose/Inaugurate the 2nd Defendant (idajo) as the Ondo State Chairman of the Union on Thusday, 10th February, 2022 after the initial plan but aborted imposition of Wednesday 2nd February, 2022

“Please be informed that any attempt to impose the 2nd defendant as the Ondo State Chairman of the Union in violation of the Constituion of the Union and in circumvention of the pending suit will be met with stiff resistance.

“It is therefore wise that being the elected Deputy Governor, your Excellency will allow the rule of law to take its course and allow the Union to peacefully elect its Executive members.

“Be informed however, that should your office decide otherwise, it will be held responsible for any breach of peace, law and order that may ensue from such anti democratic and despotic decision.

“Going by the above backdrop, it is incumbent on the parties to therefore maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the said suit to preserve the sanctity of the Court.

“In other words, it is expected of all the parties to wait and allow the Court to determine the suit without unnecessary pressure to impose a candidate (2nd Defendant) on the Claimants as against the Constitution of the Union.

“We do hope that your Excellency, being a product of democracy, will toe the line of peace, democracy and justice in allowing the Court to do its work.

In another letter addressed to Prof. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the National Chairman, members of the the Union said: “You may also recall that consequent upon the letter, the above mentioned suit was filed at the National Industrial Court, Akure Judicial Division wherein a motion for interlocutory injunction restraining the parties to maintain status qua ante bellum is pending.

“The Defendants having filed their memorandum of appearance, they have all submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the Court.

“Going by the above backdrop, it is incumbent on the parties, particularly the Defendants whom you are a principal part, to therefore maintain status qua ante bellum pending the determination of the said suit to preserve the sanctity of the Court.

“In other words, having filed a memorandum of appearance in respect of the Suit before the Court, it is expected of all the parties to wait and allow the Court to determine the suit irrespective of pressure from any quarter persuading, directing and or mandating your office to Impose a candidate (2nd Defendant) on the Claimants as against the Constitution of the Union.

“We have been informed that your office is about to impose and inaugurate the 2nd Defendant as the Ondo State Chairman of the Union on Thursday, 10th February, 2022 after the aborted plan imposition on Wednesday 2nd February, 2022. Succumbing to such pressure will be tantamount to contempt of Court with dire consequence.

“It is therefore our request that you eschew all pressures and allow the rule of law to take its normal course. This is most apposite in the circumstance and we urge you to allow good counsel to prevail.”