RTEAN appoints Okanlomo as Lagos chairman — after 16-month ban of union’s operations

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has appointed Adesina Hussaini, popularly known as Okanlomo, as chairman of the Lagos branch.

The union dissolved the 35-person ad hoc committee appointed by the Lagos government to oversee the union.

In a statement on Saturday, Musa Muhammed, RTEAN national president, said the federal government and the organised labour have resolved the disagreement between the union and the Lagos government.

“In reference to the resolution reached by the Federal Executive Council and organised Labour in reconciling our matter with the Lagos State Government and the national executive of our great association, the RTEAN, we announce the dissolution of our former structure of Lagos State executives council members, and adopt the appointment of Adeshina Hussaini (Okanlomo) as the chairman of the Lagos State branch of the RTEAN,” the statement reads.

BACKGROUND

In September 2022, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, ordered the suspension of the transport association, citing violence in parts of the state for the decision.

The state government constituted a 35-person ad hoc committee headed by Sulaiman Raji, to take over the affairs of the union.

In April 2023, a national industrial court in Lagos ordered the reinstatement of the transport association.

The court ruled that the action of the Lagos government in suspending the union’s operations in the state and setting up a caretaker committee was illegal and against the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.

In September 2023, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced a one-day protest in Lagos over the ban on RTEAN.

However, the Lagos government rejected the call for protest, saying it was needless.

RIBADU CONFIRMS RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT BETWEEN LAGOS AND RTEAN

According to NAN, Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), said the dispute between the Lagos government and RTEAN has been resolved.

Ribadu, in a letter addressed to Nuhu Toro, TUC secretary general, said the activities of the union are expected to resume immediately in the state.

“The contentious issue of RTEAN leadership has been laid to rest with the unanimous appointment of a new state Chairman of the Union in Lagos,” Ribadu was quoted by NAN.

“Comrade Adeshina Teslim Hussaini, aka Okanlomo, is the new Chairman of RTEAN in Lagos State with effect from 1 January 2024.

“The Lagos State office of RTEAN and all properties hitherto taken away are hereby returned to the Union. The operation of RTEAN in all motor parks in Lagos State is to resume with immediate effect.

“On this premise, you are humbly requested to intimate the union on the amicable resolution of the dispute and the highlights of the agreements reached.”