Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
In a strong show of solidarity, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has joined hands with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to denounce the recent actions of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, and his operatives.
The NURTW expressed deep concern about the invasion of its national secretariat, calling it a threat to democracy and industrial harmony in Nigeria.
Yesterday, a series of events unfolded as a large contingent of police officers accompanied by thugs and hoodlums, acting on IG’s orders, stormed the NURTW national headquarters in Abuja.
The purpose of the invasion, according to NURTW, “was to undermine the democratically elected leadership of the Union led by Baruwa, and replace it with a puppet leadership from Lagos State.”
The NURTW emphasised that the government’s interference in the affairs of a Trade Union violates democratic principles and legal processes, thereby setting a worrying precedent.
“This move did not only contradict the constitutionally established methods for addressing industrial disputes but also portrays the Nigeria Police Force as undermining the very laws it is meant to uphold,” it said.
The Union questioned the legitimacy of the IG’s authority to intervene in trade union matters and urged the government to uphold democratic values.
The NURTW called for the immediate withdrawal of police operatives and associated individuals from their national secretariat, asserting that the Union is not a bargaining chip to be handed over as compensation.
The union urged the Nigeria Police Force to cease interfering in union affairs and refrain from actions that jeopardise the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens.
It emphasised that Nigeria remains a democratic country, and it is incumbent on the government to uphold democratic values in all its actions. “Intimidation, harassment, and invasions of trade union secretariats are not the path to achieving stated objectives,” it said.
The NURTW, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to unite in condemning such actions and safeguarding the country’s democratic values.
The Union finally warned that the ultimate target could be the entire trade union movement, and urged all stakeholders to unite in defence of democratic principles.
