Breaking: MC Oluomo Removed As NURTW National President

An Appeal Court in Abuja has annulled the election of Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The court's decision has reinstated Tajudeen Baruwa as the rightful National President of the union. This ruling was issued following a unanimous judgment on Friday, November 8, 2024, by a panel of three justices: Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi. The court upheld the previous ruling of the National Industrial Court, which had confirmed Baruwa's re-election on March 11, 2024. The appeal, registered under number CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, was initiated by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and six others against Tajudeen Baruwa and his team of respondents. The appellate court dismissed the appeal, deeming it without merit, and imposed a cost of N100,000 against the appellants in favor of the respondents. In delivering the lead judgment, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka declared the election that elevated MC Oluomo to his position as null and void, citing the illegitimacy of the process. He referenced the earlier ruling of the National Industrial Court, which had invalidated the national delegates' conference held on October 25, 2023, and the election conducted by acting president Aliyu Issa-Ore. The National Industrial Court's judgment on March 11, 2024, had affirmed the validity of the May 24, 2023, delegates’ conference that re-elected Baruwa as president. Additionally, it restricted Najeem Usman Yasin, the former president and chairman of the board of trustees, from interfering in the daily operations of the union, confining his role to that of a trustee chairman. The court has also declared the formation of the caretaker committee, headed by Tajudeen Agbede, to be invalid, citing the lack of a crisis that would justify the application of the "doctrine of necessity." Additionally, it upheld the legitimacy of the Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held on August 23, 2023, during which Baruwa and other national officials were sworn in. The ruling by the Appeal Court carries substantial consequences for the leadership framework of the NURTW. MC Oluomo, who was previously elected unopposed at the Zone 2 Quadrennial Delegate Conference in Osogbo, Osun State, on November 9, 2024, now sees his presidency rendered null and void.