A festering crisis capable of causing unrest is beginning to build among members iof Ondo State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), over allegation of executive recklessness and high-handedness of incumbent Chairman, Mr Jacob Adebo.
Tension mounts as a former deputy chairman of the union, Mr Omobomi Ajisafe John unravelled a clandestine plot to assassinate him in a ongoing rancour, masterminded by the current Chairman, Adebi (aka Idajo), in a scheme to retain the leadership position in coming dispensation.
Members are miffed as inauguration of the state governor, Ogbeni Rotimi Akeredolu, second term approaches, as it is believed the governor has a role to play in who leads the union.
The gubernatorial inauguration is slated for February 21, 2021 at the State capital in Akure.
However, over the last weekend, the State Chairman, Adebo, was reported to have sent some of his members to unleash terror on the erstwhile Deputy State Chairman, Ajisafe who he sees as rival in the contest.
Hoodlums were said to have stormed Ajisafe house in a commando like manner at 1am on Friday Jan. 29, ransacked, vandalized his busses and house.
Reacting to the incident, Mr.Ajisafe said a friend gave him a tip off that “the State Chairman of our union, Mr. Adebo has ordered some people to get rid of me,” and having gotten the information, he left home for an undisclosed location.
Ajisafe stated further that a similar incident had occurred in 2013 when the former State Chairman, Mr.Oladutele Obayoriade, ordered some hooligans to beat him and banished him from coming to Ondo State. “Since then, I’ve been living from hand to mouth, none of my vehicle is allowed to pick passengers,” he said.
He narrated how his efforts to seek reprieve from the police had met brick walls, hence his decision to leave home.
“When I was beaten up by hoodlums in 2013, Police promised to apprehend the culprits, but up till now nothing has been done. I’m still suffering from the pains and agony I passed through in 2013,” he added.
“They all see me as a threat because my way of life is different from theirs, I don’t engage in any act of violence, I have been in the union since 1977. Some of them met me in this National Union, still they don’t want me to exist,” Ajisafe said.
