Executives of Delta state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have expressed delight at the judgement of the Appeal Court, declaring Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the authentic president of the NURTW.
In a landmark judgement delivered by a three-man judges of the Abuja division of the Appeal Court, the appeal filed by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and six others, the appellate court dismissed the appeal, saying it was devoid of merit.
In passing its judgment, the appellate court headed by three justices, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, affirmed the decision of the National Industrial Court, which delivered judgment in favour of Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa on March 11, 2024.
In declaring judgment, Justice Hamma Barka said: “I affirm the judgement of the trial court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of suit No NICNABJ/263/2023. I award the cost of N100,000 against the appellant and in favour of the respondents.”
Following the judgement delivered in favour of Baruwa, declaring him authentic president of the NURTW, the Delta state chapter members were in jubilant mood at the Koka office branch of NURTW.
Speaking on behalf of the union members, the Senior Assistant General secretary in charge of Delta state NURTW, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okolo-Gift, said the opposition went to court believing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would thwart the course of justice.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the people’s President and not for a group of persons, highly detribalized, transparent and not willing to subvert justice, hence he never involved himself by influencing nor interfer with the judgement delivered by the appeal court.
He said that since the 28th day of August, 2023, there has been leadership tussle in the union, noting that some members of the union from the south west led by Comrade Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo ganged up and took over the National Secretariat and forcefully removed the duly elected National President from office.
He said the ousted president took the case to the National Industrial Court which declared Baruwa as authentic president of the NURTW. He added that on August 28, 2023 he was forcefully removed from office.
He told journalists that the Industrial court nullified all actions taken by the committee that removed him from office. But when confronted to leave office, they refused, hence filed an appeal against the judgement of the national industrial court.
But on November 8, 2024, the appellate court removed the Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin-led team from office, paving way for Baruwa to take over as authentic president of the union.
While he urged his team to celebrate the judgment which favoured Baruwa who they are supporting, he said the members in Delta state should see the victory as no victor no vanguish.
He said: “We all are one. We have one president who is Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa. We are not driving anybody away. All of us will work together as one body.”
Having secured victory against the opposition, many of the local government executive members demanded letters to allow them function as local government executive members.
However, some viewed this move as too hasty. Rather, they were of the view that it is too early to present letters to them. But that they would rather send letters to local government chairmen, police authorities, department of state security (DSS) and others before giving them letters which would authorize them to evict those whose national president has been removed by the Appeal Court.
Former state chairman of the union, Chief Ifeanyi Obi, spoke against giving letters to local government executives at the meeting, saying ‘we are happy for the victory but giving letters should wait for a while.”
While making his decision on letters for LG executives, Delta state chairman of the union, Chief Patrick Okpando, said the meeting was called to inform members of the Appeal court victory but presenting letters to local government executives cannot be done at the meeting.
The union executives unanimously announced their support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, saying his administration has done well for Deltans.
They listed various development projects he has embarked on which they noted were aimed at delivering on his MORE Agenda for the people of Delta state.
