MC Oluomo denies allegation of intimidation, assault on opponents

Chairman, Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo), has denied allegations of intimidation and assault on Azeez Abiola, the chairman, Lagos State NURTW Tricycle Operators, or any of his supporters.

This was contained in his reply to the query issued to him by the national body over alleged insubordination.

Recall that some members of the union had accused him of refusing to carry out directives given to him by the national body.

In a letter, Akinsanya stated that he faithfully complied with the laws guiding the union’s operations and vowed to “never do anything to tarnish the image of the union nor bring the union back to the inglorious position of being branded as thugs and disturbers of the public peace in Lagos.”

On the appointment of Alhaji Azeez Abiola as chairman, Lagos State NURTW Tricycle Operators, Akinsanya said Abiola was announced on February 9 in Abuja as one of the State Trustees and Chairman, Zone ‘C’ Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) of NURTW and not overall chairman of TOOAN in the state.

“But unfortunately, before we got back to Lagos, Abiola has been parading himself on the social media as the new state chairman of TOOAN and posting a letter of appointment that I was not aware to that effect,” Akinsanya said.

“This is in spite of the fact that the legality of TOOAN is an issue at the National Industrial Court and the Lagos State Council is presently funding the defence in an effort to protect the corporate image of the union.”

Akinsanya denied knowledge of intimidation or assault on Abiola or any of his supporters.

As a trustee, Abiola, he said, has the right of entry to the state secretariat and has never been denied the right.

On the allegation of using thugs to forcefully take over branches of his perceived enemies, Akinsanya said nothing of such ever happened, since he took over.

“One of the major achievements of this present executive under my leadership in Lagos State is the promotion of peace and prevention of forceful takeover of branches. If any of the Zonal Chairmen to whom the branches belong, however, bring the issue to our attention, the same shall be investigated openly and the cause and reason determined,” he said.