Mimiko warns NURTW members against violence

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko yesterday read what looks like a riot act to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, warning them not to seize the order of the national secretariat of the union as an opportunity to cause trouble in the state.

The governor gave the warning in Akure, at a meeting with the leadership of the union held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of his office. This was against the backdrop of the directive from the national secretariat of the NURTW, ordering the state chairman, Comrade Olayori Oladutele (Die The Matter)to step aside from the office.

Already, tension has continue to rise in almost all the parks in the state and may likely snowball into major crisis if not nipped in the bud.


The governor said it would not allow anybody or group of persons to disrupt the existing peace in the state, calling on security agencies to deal decisively with any person or group of persons found causing trouble.

The state chairman was directed by the national body to step aside, following allegation that the state council under his leadership engaged in the printing of fake receipts that were issued daily to members of the union upon payment of stipulated fees.

In a letter signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Clement Wecko and which was read to all those present at the meeting, the NURTW directed the State Vice Chairman, Comrade Ajisafe Omobomi to start acting as the chairman pending the investigation of the allegation of fake receipts.

However, the letter according to the governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, stated that the State Administrative Council which comprises all other officers remain intact and not affected by the directive.

The letter also stated that all executives at the branches and other units were equally not affected by the directive, directing everybody to go about their normal duties.

Mimiko said security agencies had been directed to deal decisively with anybody that may want to interrupt the existing peace in the state over the directive, adding that those caught while trying to cause trouble since the matter started last Friday were at the Army barrack and with the police.

Meanwhile, the government said the task force set up to recover debts owed by members of the union who defaulted in paying the stipulated amount on the vehicles granted them by the government for commercial purposes, would start seizing the vehicles as from next Monday.