The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive suspending all activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) across the state, describing the decision as unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the governor.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the opposition party argued that the governor lacked the legal authority to halt the operations of a duly registered association. It also faulted the order directing security agencies to arrest anyone presenting themselves as officials of the union.
Governor Adeleke had earlier instructed the police and other security agencies to immediately suspend all NURTW activities across Osun State following a security meeting. He also ordered the arrest of individuals claiming to be executives or officials of the union at motor parks as part of efforts to address the leadership crisis within the organisation.
The governor’s directive came shortly before the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, aligned with the APC, announced the appointment of caretaker management committees for transport unions. The move was presented as a temporary measure to restore order pending the resolution of the union’s leadership dispute.
Defending the local government action, the APC said the chairmen of the 30 local government councils and the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke, met with transport stakeholders, including motorcycle and tricycle operators, and agreed to establish caretaker committees until substantive state leaders emerge.
The party accused Governor Adeleke of interfering in the internal affairs of a legally registered union and questioned the quality of legal advice available to his administration. It argued that the directive violates Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association.
According to the APC, security agencies should not enforce what it described as an unlawful order. The party maintained that disputes involving the NURTW should be resolved through lawful judicial processes rather than executive directives.
To support its position, the APC cited a Court of Appeal judgment involving the Oyo State Government and the NURTW, which declared Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2019 suspension of the union’s activities unconstitutional. The party noted that the appellate court ruled that while state governments have a duty to maintain law and order, they cannot suspend the activities of a registered association without legal authority. It also stressed that allegations of violence alone are insufficient grounds for such action without concrete evidence, adding that any criminal conduct should be addressed by security agencies through established legal procedures.
The APC called on Governor Adeleke to immediately withdraw the directive, insisting it is “repugnant, ultra vires, illegal, overreaching and grossly unconstitutional.” The party further argued that the order would not survive judicial scrutiny if challenged in court.
