Стороны конфликта в профсоюзе дорожников Нигерии достигли соглашения о прекращении вражды

FILE IMAGE By Victor Ahiuma-Young ABUJA — The prolonged leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, may be nearing an end following a major breakthrough brokered by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. This followed a peace meeting brokered by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, yesterday in Abuja. Sources familiar with the closed-door peace and reconciliation meeting at the Labour House in Abuja disclosed that the rival camps reached a mutual understanding to halt hostilities and embrace dialogue in a bid to restore unity within the union. According to insiders, the NLC leadership impressed upon both sides the need to place the interest of the union above personal and factional considerations, stressing that only a sincere commitment to peace and reconciliation could bring an end to the lingering dispute. The sources said the mediation process achieved a significant milestone after both camps gave firm assurances of their readiness to pursue a peaceful resolution and work together toward rebuilding confidence within the union. It was gathered that the parties also agreed to participate in subsequent reconciliation meetings without imposing any preconditions and pledged to implement decisions reached through the dialogue process. Labour sources described the development as one of the most important breakthroughs since the leadership dispute began, expressing optimism that the renewed commitment by the feuding parties would pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the transport workers’ union. The meeting, convened under the leadership of the NLC, is expected to be followed by additional engagements aimed at resolving all outstanding issues and strengthening the institutional unity of the NURTW. A source close to the mediation told Vanguard that the discussions were frank but constructive, informing that the willingness displayed by both sides to continue talking had raised hopes that the crisis could soon be brought to a permanent end. “There is now a shared commitment to dialogue. Both parties have agreed that the reconciliation process should continue without conditions, and there is optimism that this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the union,” the source said. The latest development is expected to ease tensions within the NURTW and could help restore stability to one of Nigeria’s most influential trade unions, whose activities have significant implications for the nation’s road transport sector. Background The leadership crisis in the NURTW dates back to 2022, when the union became embroiled in internal disputes over its national leadership and administration. The crisis deepened after Tajudeen Baruwa emerged as National President following the union’s national delegates’ conference. However, his emergence was challenged by another faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, who laid claim to the leadership of the union. The competing claims resulted in parallel leadership structures and prolonged litigation, creating uncertainty over the union’s leadership and affecting its internal cohesion. The dispute also drew the attention of the NLC, the umbrella body for trade unions in the country, which NURTW belongs to. NLC has repeatedly urged both camps to resolve their differences through dialogue in line with the labour movement’s traditions. In recent months, the NLC intensified efforts to reconcile the rival factions, convening a series of engagements aimed at finding common ground and restoring unity within the union. Yesterday’s meeting in Abuja marked the latest and most significant intervention, with both sides reportedly expressing a willingness to pursue reconciliation and work towards a lasting resolution of the leadership dispute.