NURTW Oyo State Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde Fele

By Tunde Sanni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State Saturday claimed that 30 of its stalwarts were injured seriously in the free for all with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Friday.

A statement from the Publicity Secretary of the party, Kehinde Salawu, however expressed misgivings with the coincidence in the arrival of the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and the NURTW members at the Ibadan residence of the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, during the Sallah visit.

According to the PDP spokesman, the coincidence in the time of arrival of Governor Ajimobi and the NURTW members at Arisekola’s place when some PDP leaders were already seated inside, coupled with the unchecked attack by the transport union members against the PDP loyalists, give room for suspicion that the governor’s mission to the place was more than the Sallah solidarity visit.

Salawu described the incident “as a barbaric and pre-determined state-sponsored act of gangsterism.”

The party expressed grave concern over the unchallenged act by the NURTW boys led by the State Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde Fele, alleging that the Sallah day attack by the NURTW boys was a prelude to an anticipated harassment and intimidation of the opposition parties in the state.