Election: NARTO has enough buses, union replies Lagos REC

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Lagos branch, has asserted that it possesses enough buses to fulfill any duties required for the upcoming elections in Lagos State. In a statement obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, NARTO responded to comments made by Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Olusegun Agbaje, who had explained why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was coordinating with park managers for the distribution of election materials.

Last week, Agbaje clarified that INEC was not collaborating with Musiliu Akinsanya, the former chairman of the defunct National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos, popularly known as MC Oluomo. Instead, he said, “We are concerned with the issue of motor‑park administration in Lagos. For the past two years, the Lagos State government has banned the operations of the NURTW and RTEAN in the state. Consequently, we are left with Lagos State Park and Garages and the National Association of Road Transport Owners.” The REC added that NARTO “is not able to meet up with the 40 percent needs of the commission for this election.”

Contradicting the REC’s position, NARTO Lagos leader Kayode Odunowo stated that the association has more than enough vehicles. He said, “It has become imperative for NARTO, the mother of all transport associations in Nigeria, to respond to the report credited to the Lagos REC suggesting that NARTO cannot provide sufficient vehicles for the 2023 elections. NARTO has more than enough, and it is prepared beyond the imagination of INEC.” Odunowo noted that NARTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with INEC at the federal level in 2022, extending it to all 36 states. Since then, the Lagos NARTO has been active, meeting with both the state INEC head of administration and operations. He added that any collaboration between INEC and other unions, whether legal or illegal, is unknown to NARTO.

NARTO affirmed its readiness to perform its duties in service of the nation and to ensure the success of the elections.