The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has strongly advised the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against meddling in its internal crises.
In his address at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, Kayode Agbeyangi, the Acting General Secretary of the union, expressed concerns over the interference of the NLC, alleging that it was driven by selfish motives and was responsible for the recent outbreak of violence at the National Secretariat of the union.
Agbeyangi further criticized the NLC for overstating their involvement in NURTW’s internal affairs, likening their actions to that of a sympathizer who mourns more than the bereaved. He accused the NLC of making a biased decision that posed a threat to the union’s efforts in unifying all interests and moving the organization forward, stating:
“It is very sad and unfortunate that the umbrella body of workers, which is expected to protect the welfare and rights of all workers, has transformed itself into a tool promoting violence and favoritism.”
The Acting General Secretary also called on the Joe Ajaero-led NLC to abandon their biases and ethnic sentiments towards the former General Secretary, who happens to be their fellow kinsman. He urged them to refrain from further blackmailing the union in their desperate attempt to validate illegality.
Furthermore, Agbeyangi emphasized the need for the NLC to support the ongoing process of organizing a statutory National Delegates’ Conference of the NURTW, as stipulated in the union’s constitution, instead of causing discord. He noted that the NLC and other relevant agencies had been officially informed about the union’s resolutions made at different organs of the organization.
Agbeyangi stated, “We expect the congress to respect the NURTW’s determination to ensure the emergence of a democratically elected National leadership during the forthcoming Quadrennial Delegates Conference. We believe that the congress will act with honor by supporting a peaceful process and adhering to established legal frameworks and international standards governing industrial relations, which they claim to uphold.”
In the interest of peace, justice, and fair play, the NLC was urged to allow the Board of Trustees of the union to internally resolve the ongoing crises, as specified in its constitution.
The acting General Secretary assured that strategic processes had been put in place to achieve peace within the NURTW.
NAN
