The recent election of MC Oluomo as National President of Nigeria’s National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has sparked condemnation from the Global Information Team (GIT), which called the election a “shocking” affront to the judiciary.
The Head of Investigation at GIT, Anabel Crown, criticized the NURTW election, which saw MC Oluomo emerge as president, despite a court ruling affirming the re-election of Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the duly elected NURTW president. An industrial court had declared Baruwa’s victory valid, a ruling later upheld by the Court of Appeal after the Najeem Yasin faction challenged it.
GIT has now called on Nigeria’s Chief Justice to intervene and take legal action against the Najeem faction, which, according to the organization, disregarded a judicial pronouncement by conducting a separate election. Crown noted, “Nowhere in the world is the judiciary confronted or challenged in this manner,” describing the election as a direct assault on judicial authority.
Crown also emphasized the responsibility of NURTW to respect judicial decisions, calling on the government to hold the Najeem faction accountable. “Those responsible should be prosecuted for the sake of posterity,” Crown said.
The GIT voiced concerns over alleged support from President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the Najeem faction, reportedly due to political affiliations with MC Oluomo, now the faction’s elected president. The Chief Justice has been urged to maintain neutrality by ensuring the law is upheld.
GIT has reiterated its recognition of Alhaji Baruwa as the legitimate president of NURTW and has announced its plans to communicate this stance to international transport organizations.
AFP
