The elected chairmen of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from all the states of the federation have warned the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to desist from interfering in the internal affairs of the union by trying to impose the former president, Tajudeen Baruwa.
The state chairmen, in a letter titled ‘Call to Order” and addressed to both the President and the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), threatened that the union may be forced to pull out of the NLC if it fails to stay clear of NURTW’s internal affairs.
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The leaders were reacting to the recent outburst by the leadership of the NLC, condemning the intervention of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The NURTW state chairmen warned the NLC to stop dragging the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Simon Lalong, into the issues, stating that the minister, as a father figure, was only trying to mediate to ensure peace.
The leaders stated that the NURTW can handle its affairs without interference from any external body.
The letter reads, ” We can address our internal challenges with the support of our past leaders and veterans through the constitutional provisions of our union. We have already taken proactive steps towards making sure that the extant provisions of our constitution are strictly adhered to.”
The NURTW state chairmen informed NLC that the tenure of Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa has since expired, and efforts are ongoing to elect new national leaders.
“Our union constitution provides for zonal elections followed by national affirmation towards electing new leadership. And these constitutional requirements have already manifested in the zonal elections conducted on the 5th of October, 2023.”
Therefore, the Union warned that it may be forced to embark on street protests and total occupation of NLC if its leadership continues to meddle in NURTW’s internal affairs.
The union leaders of the NURTW under Baruwa were zero in terms of performance or relevance in all NLC organs/ activities, stating that the union may be forced to exercise its rights of freedom of association by pulling out of the NLC.