Tajudeen Baruwa has taken control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) national secretariat in Abuja on March 23, 2026, effectively dislodging Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, from the presidency of the union. This takeover was backed by two court judgments affirming Baruwa’s position as the duly elected president.
The National Industrial Court had previously recognized Baruwa’s presidency, a ruling that was upheld by the Court of Appeal on November 8, 2024. Baruwa’s faction had been involved in a leadership tussle with MC Oluomo’s faction since 2024, with tensions escalating over the control of the union.
Upon taking control, Baruwa stated, “Today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner. This is not a forceful takeover but the execution of court orders.” His faction had notified the police of their intention to reclaim the secretariat, emphasizing their adherence to legal protocols.
Despite the peaceful nature of the takeover, Baruwa’s faction faced resistance from supporters of MC Oluomo. Baruwa expressed concerns about the lack of cooperation from the opposing faction, stating, “Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble as we are a law-abiding union.”
Baruwa’s faction has been waiting for two years to reclaim the secretariat, a process that has been fraught with legal challenges and disputes. The Court of Appeal also awarded N100,000 in costs against those challenging Baruwa’s presidency, further solidifying his position.
In a statement reflecting on the situation, Baruwa said, “We remain open to reconciliation, as we are a lawful organisation, not troublemakers. No one is above the law.” This statement underscores his intention to lead the union in a manner consistent with legal and organizational norms.
Baruwa’s presidency was recognized in a judgment delivered on March 11, 2024, which set the stage for the recent developments. The leadership crisis within the NURTW has been ongoing since 2024, complicating the union’s operations and governance.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the immediate reactions from MC Oluomo’s faction following the takeover. Observers are closely monitoring the situation to see how it will affect the dynamics within the NURTW moving forward.