NURTW, RTEAN allege intimidation by security agents

As the July 14 election draws nearer, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have alleged intimidation by security agents.

Chairmen of NURTW and RTEAN in the state, Clement Adekola and Rotimi Agbede, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

They announced that they were shocked when on Monday; the Department of State Service (DSS) invited them to a meeting in Ado Ekiti, over their political affiliation.

They listed other members invited by the DSS to include Diya Ajayi, Lawrence Ologunja, Ayo Ajetomobi and Ojo Ojemba.

The union leaders enjoined the security agencies to maintain neutrality before, during and after the poll, adding: “Ekiti people must be allowed to choose their governor in a free, fair and credible election.

“Students of politics in Nigeria could still remember what happened in 1983, when those controlling power at the centre tried to force a governor on Ondo State. We are sure that no one wants a repeat of such.”

They warned that anything short of a free and fair election would invite chaos into the state.

The union leaders called on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the security agencies to avoid being used to subvert the will of Ekiti people and put democracy at risk.

They said the upcoming election would serve as a prelude to the 2019 poll.

The leaders alleged that the “message from above” was for them to drop their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and switch to Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The drivers’ unions reiterated their total commitment to the election of the PDP candidate, Olusola, saying; “Governor Ayodele Fayose has done so much for the state and the unions. We must pay him back by supporting his party’s candidate”