NURTW Crisis: Protests Rock Osun Motor Parks as Faction Rejects Chairman, Alleges Violence

Tension gripped major motor parks across Osun State on Monday as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) staged protests over the leadership crisis rocking the union, rejecting the continued leadership of factional state chairman Nurudeen Alowonle.

The protesters, who gathered at several parks in Osogbo, the state capital, and other locations, passed a vote of no confidence in Alowonle’s leadership, accusing him of creating insecurity and disrupting activities within the transport sector.

They alleged that the crisis surrounding the union leadership has affected the operations of transport workers and weakened commuters’ confidence in public transportation across the state.

The protest began as early as 7:30 a.m, with demonstrators carrying placards demanding urgent intervention from security agencies and calling for the investigation and arrest of individuals they accused of being responsible for recent violence.

Operations at some motor parks were temporarily disrupted as protesters asked passengers and transport operators to leave the premises, citing concerns over safety.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the factional NURTW Secretary, Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke, urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in what he described as a worsening crisis within the union.

Oyegoke alleged that the actions of Alowonle and some associates had created fear among transport workers and affected their ability to operate freely.

“We are out this morning to call the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the crisis in the Osun NURTW. Alowonle has ignited an unnecessary crisis in the state’s transportation system,” he alleged.

He further claimed that recent attacks linked to the crisis had resulted in deaths and retaliatory violence across some motor parks.

Oyegoke alleged that Sikiru Oyeniyi, popularly known as Ado Igona, and Alowonle were connected to attacks that led to the killing of Adelodun Olamilekan Lateef and others, adding that transport workers were living in fear.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and those accused have not publicly responded to the claims.

Another protester, Comrade Omololu Abidoye, Director of Mobilisation for the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI), described the situation as a security challenge requiring immediate government intervention.

Abidoye alleged that innocent residents had been affected by the violence and called on security agencies to investigate all claims and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.

The crisis also attracted comments from other transport groups, with Akeem Kareem, factional secretary of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Osun, alleging political interference in union affairs.

Kareem claimed some union members were being unfairly treated based on political affiliations and said members had lost confidence in the leadership of the state chairman, Comrade Jelili Abioye.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke directed security agencies to arrest anyone found responsible for actions capable of threatening public peace.

The governor warned that no individual would be shielded from prosecution if found culpable, regardless of status.

“If my child is found wanton, arrest him,” Adeleke said.

Security agencies are expected to continue monitoring developments as authorities work to prevent further escalation of the dispute and restore normal activities across affected motor parks.