Ayomide Awe
Residents of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, are living in fear as tensions rise over a looming clash within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The conflict, which is expected to escalate following an alleged directive to dismiss several union members, has left the public calling for urgent intervention from the Ogun State Government.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that on Friday, October 11, 2024, unrest began to spread across Ijebu-Ode after the chairman of the NURTW in Ogun State, Alhaji Ismail Mustapha Adewale, popularly known as Yaro, reportedly issued a controversial directive to expel several members of the union.
The decision, which many have described as politically motivated, has sparked outrage among the affected members and raised concerns about potential violence.
According to reports, the directive is set to take effect on Monday, October 14, 2024, and is allegedly being enforced with the backing of both the Nigeria Police and the military.
One of the dismissed members, Hon. Aremu Babatunde, a youth leader of the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, has decried the move as a personal attack.
Babatunde, who is popularly referred to as “Governor’s Son” due to his political influence, accused Alhaji Adewale of using his position to undermine his standing in the union and within the political landscape of the state.
In a statement, Babatunde described the dismissal as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and weaken his influence ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 2024.
“This directive is a political plot to ridicule me,” Babatunde said.
“The police and military have been co-opted into this one-sided intervention, which is designed to sabotage my political aspirations.”
Babatunde expressed frustration over the Ogun State Government’s silence on the matter, noting that the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun has yet to intervene despite being aware of the growing tension.
“The government’s quietness is puzzling,” Babatunde added.
“This union has always operated peacefully under the previous leadership of Alhaji Bodunrin Iyeru, without any form of victimisation. Now, under Alhaji Adewale, we are seeing an abuse of power.”
He further revealed that those targeted for dismissal have already mobilised in preparation for the upcoming local elections, emphasising that they will not allow this setback to derail their political ambitions.
As tension builds in Ijebu-Ode, residents are concerned that the impending clash between union members could disrupt the peace in the area, particularly if the state government continues to maintain its silence.
Many are calling on Governor Abiodun to step in and resolve the crisis before it escalates into violence.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that with the clock ticking down to the October 14 enforcement of the dismissals, all eyes are on the Ogun State Government and how it will respond to prevent further unrest.
The situation remains precarious, with residents and union members alike bracing for the worst.
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