Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and a civil society organisation on Monday staged protests across major parts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, demanding the removal of a factional chairman of the union, Nurudeen Alowonle, over alleged security concerns.
The protesters marched through several locations, including Old Garage, MDS, Olaiya, Aregbe Motor Park, Fakunle and Fagbewesa, where they expressed dissatisfaction with Alowonle’s leadership and passed a vote of no confidence in his faction.
The demonstration briefly disrupted activities at some motor parks as protesters urged transport operators and passengers to vacate the premises while they presented their grievances.
Speaking with journalists during the protest, the factional Secretary of the NURTW,Fatai Oyegoke, alleged that the leadership crisis within the union had negatively affected transport operations and the livelihoods of members across Osun State.
Oyegoke also claimed that recent security incidents associated with the dispute had heightened fear among transport workers and commuters, prompting calls for increased security presence at motor parks.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to strengthen security around transport hubs, investigate recent violent incidents, and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
Also addressing the protesters, the Director of Mobilisation of the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI), Comrade Omololu Abidoye, said the organisation joined the demonstration out of concern for public safety and security.
Abidoye urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding recent incidents of violence and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. He maintained that preserving peace and safeguarding lives and property should take precedence over the union’s internal leadership dispute.
Similarly, the factional Secretary of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Osun State, Akeem Kareem, criticised the handling of the union’s internal affairs. He alleged that some members had been unfairly treated because of political differences and said his faction had lost confidence in the current leadership.
Responding to the allegations, the Secretary of Alowonle’s faction, Mukaila Popoola, said he was not authorised to comment on the matter.
The allegations raised during the protest could not be independently verified. As of the time this report was filed, Nurudeen Alowonle had not issued any public response to the claims.
