NURTW crisis deepens two Chairmen now lead Plateau chapter

Yakubu Busari

Leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) Plateau State chapter, has continued as the state chairman , Alh. Yuha’u Muhammed group has suspended the financial secretary, Alh. Auwal Garba and the deputy treasurer,  Alh.Maikudi Ibrahim for attacking the National President and State chapter.

The crisis had led to fresh drama of some members of the group turning the council into two as new factions now claiming the leadership of the state chapter.

The crisis deepened when the financial secretary, Alh. Auwal Garba and the deputy treasurer, Alh.Maikudi Ibrahim, were suspended by the leadership of the group over their stand to oppose a new proposal by the state chairman, Alh. Yuha’u Muhammed , suggesting that all drivers must obtain “school driving certificate” before allowing to become  drivers.

This according to the new policy if adopted would require all drivers who have been in the system to enroll into the driving school to obtain the driving certificate.

The new faction under the leadership of its new chairman, Alh. Auwal Garba alleged the state chairman of deliberately bringing the idea of school driving certificate for his own personal interest, adding that Muhammed had established the school solely to source money for himself at the detriment of common drivers.

According to the factional chairman, “it would be unfair to someone who has been driving for more than 10 years or even more than that and be denied being a qualified driver. It is our right to express our opinion.”

Asked why they were suspended, Garba said, “We were suspended because of our opposition to the proposal which I believe we all have the right to do that as Nigerians. For us, the move is exploitation upon the common driver.

“I am now the new chairman and would not allow that to happen. Most of the drivers are living from hand to mouth and their rights are not being protected by the Union. So, we don’t have money to pay for attending school driving certificate, “he added.

The state Chairman, Alh. Yuha’u Muhammed said it’s became mandatory for the state executive council to take this drastic measure to ensure that the name of our national president is not drafted into this mess.

He said Alh Garba and Maikudi have bridge the constitution of NURTW for granting interview to media without due consultation from the leadership.

“We are calling on our drivers to disregard their lies and focus on unity of the association, so the stand suspended for six months.