The South-West zone of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN has called on the Minister of Labour and Productivity, , Muhammad Dingyadi to intervene in the ongoing crisis between the zone and the union’s National President, Dr. Musa Mohamed.
Speaking at a press conference in , the South-West Zonal Chairman of RTEAN, , accused the national president of mal-administration, abuse of power, and alleged embezzlement of union funds.
Agbede said the allegations prompted the South-West zone to declare a trade dispute in line with the union’s constitution and the Labour Act, a move he said grants the zone temporary autonomy pending the resolution of the matter.
“The South-West discovered some maladministration and misuse of power, embezzlement of union funds, on the side of the embattled national president of the union,” Agbede said.
According to him, the grievances were earlier presented to the National Executive Council (NEC), but the council allegedly failed to address the concerns raised by the zone.
“We held a meeting and conveyed our grievances to the NEC, but when the report got there, NEC gave it no audience,” he stated.
Agbede disclosed that the zone subsequently petitioned the Labour Ministry and requested that Mohammed step aside while investigations continue.
“We made a case that the embattled Musa Mohammed should step aside because he cannot be a judge in his own case,” he said.
The South-West chairman also alleged irregularities in the election that produced Mohammed as national president, claiming the delegate conference was held inside an army barracks in Abuja and attended only by loyalists of the president.
“It has never happened before. He was the first that took the union conference to such a venue,” he alleged.
Agbede maintained that the South-West zone would continue to administer its affairs independently until the dispute is resolved.
“So if it takes 100 years, we will continue to administer ourselves because it is enshrined in our constitution and Labour Act,” he added.
Also speaking, the South-West Secretary of RTEAN, Tiwalade Akingbade confirmed that meetings with the Ministry of Labour were ongoing and expressed optimism that the matter would soon be resolved.
“We are expected to be in Abuja again this week for another meeting,” Akingbade said, while urging members to remain calm and united.
