Tanker drivers protest removal of executive members

THE Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, Mobil Road, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday protested against what they called unjust removal of members of its executive by the former Chairman of the association.

The Guardian learnt that the Chairman, Secretary, Financial Secretary and Deputy II were suddenly removed from their office on Monday and were allegedly replaced by unelected officials.

One of the members of the association, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, disclosed that the constitution did not give room for coup to overthrow the members of executive.

He said: “The elected executive must complete their tenure. So, no going back on our strike until their positions are restored.”

Also, Vincent Okudili recalled that Tunde Akinade was elected as the Chairman on March 13, 2014, saying: “He ought to spend eight years. Since he was elected, he was not given a free hand to operate. They did not allow the association to open its own account, they were using the account of the treasurer, until recently.”

He recalled that it was after much pressure that the association was allowed to open its own account.

Mr. Taju Bolarinwa regretted the action of the past Chairman, and the removal of the key members of the Executive.

He said: “And they were replaced with new people after a kangaroo election. It ought not to be like that. It ought to be through election. That is why we are protesting. It has never happened in any unit of our association.

“He now brought his own loyalists. What we want is for them to return those people they removed.”