Tolu Babaleye: President Tinubu Should Implement Court docket Rulings in NURTW Management Disaster
The management disaster within the Nationwide Union of Street Transport Employees (NURTW) has deepened, with the union’s legally acknowledged president, Ibikunle Barua Babaleye, interesting to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and implement courtroom judgments affirming his management.
Talking throughout an interview on ARISE Information on Thursday, Tolu Babaleye defined that the disaster started in 2023, towards the top of the tenure of the previous NURTW president, Comrade Ipegunle Barua, whose time period was set to run out on August 27, 2023. Barua was re-elected and inaugurated on August 23, 2023, on the Nationwide Delegate Convention in Nasarawa State.
Nonetheless, simply days after his inauguration, a faction led by former president Usuma Yassin tried to put in one other chief, Ginabuja, in direct contravention of the NURTW Structure. “They suspended or terminated Barua’s inauguration illegally,” Babaleye mentioned, emphasizing that the intruding faction acted exterior the regulation.
Barua instantly approached the Nationwide Industrial Court docket in Abuja, securing a judgment validating his election and nullifying the actions of the so-called caretaker committee. When the opposing faction appealed, the Court docket of Enchantment dismissed the case, affirming Barua’s management.
Regardless of these rulings, Babaleye mentioned that Barua has confronted vital obstacles in assuming workplace. “Early within the morning, thugs and safety brokers eliminated Barua from the premises, and there was even a fatality,” he recalled, describing the continuing intimidation and persecution of the union president.
Additional authorized motion was taken to make clear that Barua, because the court-recognized president, will need to have entry to the union’s workplace. On March 6, one other courtroom order directed that every one occupants vacate the workplace inside 24 hours, but the order has not been executed.
Babaleye criticized the Nigerian police and different safety businesses for failing to implement courtroom orders, noting that procedural excuses had been used to delay compliance. “The Nationwide Industrial Court docket doesn’t have an execution unit for non-monetary judgments,” he mentioned, highlighting systemic obstacles which have prevented justice.
Letters have been despatched to key authorities places of work, together with the President, the Labour Minister, the Nationwide Safety Advisor, and the Inspector Normal of Police, requesting enforcement of the courtroom rulings. Babaleye mentioned the dearth of response underscores a broader institutional reluctance to uphold the regulation.
The lawyer alleged political interference, stating, “It is extremely apparent that Barua offended somebody in excessive locations, which is why the courtroom judgment has not been executed.” He emphasised that the union president’s lawful mandate is being undermined by vested pursuits.
Babaleye warned that failure to resolve the dispute amicably would destabilize future NURTW elections. “There shall be parallel elections, no peace, and continued battle at each management transition,” he mentioned, highlighting the long-term implications for the union.
He referred to as on President Tinubu to behave decisively, stressing that dedication to the rule of regulation should transcend phrases. “Barua has waited two and a half years for justice. The Presidency should be certain that authorized pronouncements are revered to stop additional breakdown of order,” Babaleye asserted.
The NURTW disaster, as defined by Babaleye, will not be solely a union concern however a check of Nigeria’s adherence to the rule of regulation. “The chief’s refusal to implement courtroom judgments units a harmful precedent,” he concluded, urging quick motion to revive lawful management and safeguard institutional integrity.
Triumph Ojo
Times Nigeria