….We’re resolute to take back our position, restore our lost glory- Acting Chair, Kazeem Olawale
The leaders and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun state on Thursday reaffirmed their loyalty and unalloyed support to the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
This is just as the Union dissociated self from the political affiliation of the immediate past chairman of the Union, Olalekan Folorunsho popularly called (Salami) who allegedly pitched tent with another political party.
The transporters attributed their decision to the unprecedented support and recognition given to the Union during the administration of the former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The leadership of the Union made the statements during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Owa Obokun Adimula Hall, Ilesa, Osun State.
Speaking, the acting chairman, NURTW in the state, Alhaji Kazeem Olawale said the Union was resolute to restore the lost glory of its members taken away by the present government.
Olawale who decried the maltreatment meted out to the members of the Union by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke since the inception said no stone would be left unturned to ensure the return of APC to government in 2026.
The acting NURTW Chairman who acknowledged the non-partisanship of the Union noted that it has become imperative for the members of the Union to align with the political party that recognizes their existence and champions the welfare and general well-being of his members.
“It is quite unfortunate that we found ourselves in this kind of situation today despite our commitment to the growth and development of our dear state as members of a critical sector of the economy. Historically, our Union has been a remarkable partner in the progress of our dear state since her creation the role cut short by the current administration shortly after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“It is on record that our Union was scrapped immediately the incumbent Governor took over the mantle of leadership of the state and since then hundreds of our members have been rendered jobless, idle and redundant for no just cause.
“While we remain resolute in our determination to take back our position as it used to be in the past, before the inception of the present government, we are equally ready to give the absolute support to the party that recognized us while in government, and I can assure you that very soon our position will be restored.
“So, I am elated that this stakeholders’ meeting under my leadership is coming at the right time to address sundry issues bordering on the new development as regards the insinuations of the political affiliation of the former chairman of our Union. I feel compelled to address the recent report concerning the former Osun NURTW Chairman, Chief Olalekan Folorunsho who allegedly switched political affiliations and purportedly joined and led members of the Union to another party.
“We are not in anyway in agreement with whatever the decision taken by the former chairman politically as he has his personal choice to make. So, we are using this opportunity to tell the whole world that we know nothing about the alleged political switch and that he (former chairman) doesn’t represent the Union in any political party. His tenure as Union chairman ended in 2022 when he voluntarily stepped down.
Speaking intermittently, leaders and members of the Union in attendance passed a vote of confidence on the acting NURTW Chairman and re-echoed their stance to work collectively in unison to reclaim and restore their lost glory.
