Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A deepening leadership crisis within Nigeria’s transport sector reached a critical turning point on Monday as a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by Tajudeen Baruwa forcefully took control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, triggering a chain of events that included police intervention, arrests, and renewed national scrutiny over the legitimacy of the union’s leadership.
The takeover, which occurred in the early hours of March 23, 2026, marked one of the most dramatic escalations in a protracted dispute that has divided the influential union for more than two years. Members of the Baruwa-led faction reportedly moved in coordinated fashion, gaining access to the headquarters and displacing officials aligned with the rival faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo.
At the center of the crisis is a long-running legal battle over who holds the legitimate mandate to lead the union. Baruwa’s faction has consistently relied on judgments delivered by the National Industrial Court, which recognized him as the duly elected president of the NURTW following a disputed internal election. That ruling was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, strengthening his claim to the leadership and providing the legal foundation for Monday’s action.
Supporters of Baruwa argue that the takeover was not an act of aggression but a lawful enforcement of subsisting court decisions. According to insiders, the faction had maintained for months that the national secretariat was being occupied in defiance of judicial rulings, and that reclaiming it was necessary to restore constitutional order within the union.
However, the manner in which the takeover unfolded reflected the deep divisions and hostility that have characterized the dispute. Eyewitnesses reported that members of the Baruwa faction removed items associated with the Akinsanya leadership, including portraits and insignia, in what appeared to be a symbolic assertion of authority. The scene underscored the intensity of the rivalry and the extent to which the union has become polarized.
The situation quickly drew the attention of security agencies. Police operatives were deployed to the secretariat shortly after the takeover, with the stated aim of restoring order and preventing the outbreak of violence. In the course of the intervention, Tajudeen Baruwa was arrested, a development that has further complicated the already contentious situation.
While authorities have not provided a detailed explanation for the arrest, the move has raised significant questions among observers, particularly in light of existing court rulings that appear to support Baruwa’s leadership claim. Legal analysts note that the incident highlights broader concerns about the enforcement of judicial decisions and the role of security institutions in disputes involving powerful non-state actors.
Reports from the scene also indicated that tensions may have escalated beyond verbal confrontations. There were claims that at least one individual was injured during the police intervention, though the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear and have not been officially confirmed. The possibility of violence has heightened concerns about the potential for further clashes if the dispute is not urgently addressed.
The origins of the leadership crisis date back to a contested delegates’ conference that was intended to produce new national officers for the union. Since then, the NURTW has been plagued by parallel leadership structures, conflicting court cases, and repeated attempts by both factions to assert control over the organization’s assets and operations.
Despite the legal victories claimed by Baruwa, the faction led by MC Oluomo has continued to operate with significant influence, particularly at the grassroots level. This has resulted in a dual power structure within the union, with both sides issuing directives and maintaining loyal followings across different states.
The NURTW occupies a uniquely powerful position within Nigeria’s economic and political landscape. Beyond its formal role as a labor union representing transport workers, it exercises considerable control over motor parks, route allocations, and revenue collection systems in many urban centers. Its influence also extends into political mobilization, where it has historically played a role in election-related activities.
As a result, the struggle for leadership is widely seen as a contest for both economic control and political relevance. Analysts suggest that this dual significance has made the conflict particularly difficult to resolve, as the stakes go far beyond administrative authority.
Reactions to Monday’s developments have reflected a mix of concern and apprehension. Transport operators in several parts of the country have expressed fears that the ongoing crisis could disrupt daily operations, especially if rival factions attempt to assert control at motor parks and other critical points within the transport network.
Uncertainty over leadership often leads to confusion among drivers and commuters, with potential consequences including disputes over levies, interruptions in services, and increased tensions at transit hubs. For millions of Nigerians who rely on road transport for their daily activities, the stability of the NURTW is a matter of practical importance.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the implications of the crisis, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency in the enforcement of court rulings. They argue that the existence of conflicting authorities undermines the rule of law and creates a dangerous precedent in which judicial decisions can be ignored or selectively applied.
There have been growing calls for intervention by the federal government and relevant regulatory bodies. Stakeholders argue that a neutral and authoritative mediation process may be necessary to bring both factions to the negotiating table and establish a sustainable resolution framework.
For ordinary members of the union, including drivers, ticketing agents, and other workers, the leadership dispute has created an environment of uncertainty and frustration. Many find themselves caught between competing directives, unsure of which faction to recognize or follow. This has had a direct impact on livelihoods, particularly for those who depend on daily earnings from transport activities.
As the situation continues to evolve, attention is focused on the next steps by both the authorities and the rival factions. The arrest of Baruwa, the continued claims of legitimacy by both camps, and the heightened security presence around the secretariat all point to a fragile and unresolved conflict.
The events in Abuja have not only exposed the depth of divisions within the NURTW but have also raised broader questions about governance, institutional authority, and the intersection of law and power in Nigeria’s informal sector. Whether the crisis is resolved through judicial enforcement, political intervention, or negotiated compromise, its outcome is likely to have lasting implications for the union and the millions of Nigerians who depend on its operations.
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