As the Lagos state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chairmanship election draws nearer, there are rumours making round that a particular candidate, Musiliu Akinsanya a.k.a MC Olu-Omo is being favoured and supported by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, even though it remains an allegation. Many stakeholders are divided as a result of the highhandedness and excesses of the alleged favoured candidate.
The facts as confided in me by some NURTW members in the state are that up till date, the Office of the Vice President has refused to either dismiss or denounce the allegations that his office is sponsoring Akinsanya. Whichever way, the vice president as a former attorney general of the state and commissioner of justice under the then Tinubu administration and presently the No 2 man in the Buhari administration knows what integrity, honour, pedigree and rule of law imply in the world and the society at large.
His continuous silence is not golden but could be perceived as exoneration at the path and part of rumour mongers that the vice-president is solidly behind Akinsanya, as alleged. The candid expectation from the state APC and the vice-president is to urgently address a world press conference in order to explain, express and dissociate themselves and their exalted offices from the candidature of Akinsanya as NURTW chairman in Lagos state.
The change agenda of the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari administration must be enthroned through justice, fair play, equity, respect for all class of Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and religion. The vice-president as a legal luminary and experienced clergy must clarify issues to Lagos people in particular and NURTW members in general. Questionable characters as alleged must not be allowed to tarnish the image and hard earned reputation of the Buhari administration.
There are many issues associated with transport unionism in Nigeria. Some feelers are of the view that transport unions have been turned to avenues of persecuting, intimidating, harassing and assaulting perceived opponents and enemies.
From the various stakeholders in the transport sector, namely, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), NURTW), Self Employed Commercial Drivers Association (SECDA), National Union of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the Luxury Bus Operators Association of Nigeria (LUXBON) there are discomforts as regards how some unscrupulous elements are being used to malign and tarnish the good image of the unions by selfish politicians.
The various security agencies like the police, DSS and others should also wakeup to reality by investigating insinuated cases of assassination and threats to national interest even though as allegations. Our polity must be cleansed of dirty players and individuals with criminal records. The interest of pressure groups, the masses, private sector operators as well as other classes of professionals are paramount and significant to the incumbent government which we are all part of.
The transport sector, especially land transport, affects the lives of the people in the society in view of why scrutiny, surveillance and intelligence reports are necessary about activities of members. In advanced societies like the United States of America, United Kingdom and others, dossiers are developed and kept about unions whether electrical, transport or building.
In Nigeria, however, compromise, double standard, favouritism, selfishness and nepotism have undermined the actualisation of the above. Data of unions are lacking in the systems of the transport regulatory agencies of the government. The police, Road Safety and SSS must as a matter of urgency do all they can to develop prompt and up-to-date data of transport unions in the country for efficiency, safety and security.
In conclusion, the various opposition interests to the candidature of Musiliu Akinsanya should also avail the various security agencies with evidence, defence and facts pertaining to the activities of criminal elements among them. The security agencies are not angels, as such general inputs and recommendations of stakeholders and spectators are necessary and important. The vice-president must clear his name as regards sponsoring Akinsanya either through press statements or press conference.
Salihu is Director of Publicity, Arewa Youths for Peace and Security.
