Alhaji Najeem Yasin, the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), says nobody or group can take over the leadership of the union unconstitutionally.
Yasin said this in Ibadan on Friday during a courtesy call on Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yasin had led some chairmen of the union in the South West Zone to the Governor’s Office.
The NURTW boss, who said transition at any level of the union must be in compliance with its constitution, called on members to sustain the peace established under the Ajimobi-led administration.
“Your Excellency, we are here in Oyo State to meet our members and after the meeting, I felt it is important to visit you.
“We want to appreciate you for the peace in the state. Since the inception of our union in Oyo State, we have never enjoyed relative peace like the one witnessed under your administration.
“Today, we have forgotten the era of using cutlass and other dangerous weapons to take over leadership of the union in the state,’’ he said.
He said that anyone who tries to take over unconstitutionally or by violence should be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Yasin said that the union was now affiliated to the International Transport Federation, adding that the union had gone beyond brigandage and violence.
“ By August, we will have our delegates conference where I will step down for another leader to come in. In October, will have state delegate conferences across the 36 states,’’ he said.
The NURTW boss urged members not take laws into their hands, adding that the law would take its course on every unconstitutional activity.
In his response, Ajimobi commended Yasin for partnering his administration in transforming the union in the state and Nigeria.
The governor urged members of the union to eschew violence and obey their own constitution in the selection of leaders.
“Our administration came on board when the state was a garrison command. There was brigandage everywhere caused mainly by the activities of NURTW members.
“We promised not to interfere in the activities of the union and restore peace to the state which we achieved tremendously,’’ he said.
Ajimobi said that his administration did very well by whatever yardstick anyone might intend to use, adding that peace and tranquility were restored in the state.
“ We are the most peaceful, successful and security-conscious administration in the history of the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
