The South-West Zone of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has clarified that the participation of its National President, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, in a recent courtesy visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima by the Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 group did not represent the collective position of the association.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the South-West Zonal Chairman of RETAN, Samuel Agbede, said while the association supports the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in 2027, no individual should claim to speak on behalf of RETAN without consultation with its established leadership structures.

Agbede said the association remained committed to supporting the administration and acknowledged efforts by transport stakeholders to back the government’s economic reforms.

“We wish to commend every genuine effort aimed at supporting the continued development of Nigeria and promoting the success of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” he said.
According to him, RETAN’s South-West chapter had earlier endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for a second term and had already commenced mobilisation efforts across its six states.

However, he stressed that Mohammed’s appearance during the visit to the Vice President should not be interpreted as representing RETAN nationwide.

“RETAN is a national association with established structures, organs and leadership mechanisms. Decisions and positions that purport to speak for the association ought to emerge from broad consultation and consensus among the relevant stakeholders and organs of the association,” Agbede stated.

The zonal chairman also raised concerns over what he described as unresolved issues of accountability, transparency and management of resources within the association.

Among the issues highlighted were allegations surrounding the handling of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses acquired for transport operators, questions over the management and distribution of federal government transport palliatives reportedly worth nearly N1 billion, and concerns about inadequate stakeholder consultation on key matters affecting the association.

“These concerns remain unresolved despite the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” Agbede said.

He called on government agencies to ensure that future intervention programmes targeted at transport operators are implemented through transparent and inclusive processes.

The RETAN leader specifically referenced reports of the planned distribution of 10,000 electric tricycles, urging authorities to ensure equitable access for genuine beneficiaries across the country.

“Such programmes should be structured in a manner that accommodates genuine stakeholders and ensures that benefits reach transport operators and workers across the country,” he said.

Addressing questions from journalists, Agbede accused the national leadership of failing to adequately account for government interventions and association resources.

“The issues we have are accountability, inclusiveness and transparency regarding the affairs of the association. He has not been transparent enough regarding federal government palliatives and the association’s resources,” he said.
On efforts to resolve the dispute, Agbede said the South-West chapter remained open to reconciliation but alleged that previous attempts at dialogue were unsuccessful.

“We did not foreclose reconciliation. The South-West met in February and listed our grievances. I was delegated to present them, but before I could do so, he had already taken decisions on the issues in dispute and did not allow room for discussion,” he said.

He disclosed that the disagreement had since been declared a trade dispute and was currently before the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Despite the internal disagreement, Agbede reiterated that the press conference was not an attack on President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima or any political organisation.

“Our concern is simply that no individual should appropriate the collective mandate of the association or present personal actions as the position of RETAN without due consultation and approval,” he said.