The lingering leadership crisis rocking Edo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has taken a new dimension, as the union’s caretaker committee accused Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, of sabotaging his peace efforts.
The peace process already put in place by Governor Obaseki to resolve all issues was allegedly being scuttled by the governor’s chief of staff through a letter that Iyoha personally signed and addressed to the NURTW National President in Abuja, recognising the ‘disbanded’ Odion Olaye-led executive of the Edo NURTW, which is being investigated by the state government.
The letter titled “Re: Notification of Recognised Leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers-Edo State Chapter”, from the office of the governor is with reference number OG.51/Vol.4/387.
The letter dated December 1, 2023 and distributed to reporters is said to be generating crisis and controversy in the state.
The letter said: “Pursuant to the correspondence received from the General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), dated October 11, 2023, I am directed to inform you that Comrade Odion Olaye is the recognised chairman of NURTW, Edo State chapter.
“Consequently, Edo State Government will only associate with executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Edo State chapter, led by Chief Comrade Odion Olaye. This is for your information and necessary attention.”
Reacting to the letter, the state Caretaker Committee Chairman of NURTW, Saturday Ohame, on behalf of the committee, condemned it.
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A statement signed by Ohame accused the governor’s chief of staff of sabotaging the peace efforts of the governor, which resulted in the inauguration of an investigation panel to look into petitions against Olaye’s former executive.
It said: “The Chief of Staff, Iyoha Osaigbovo, is using his office to sabotage the genuine effort of Governor Godwin Obaseki by signing a memo recognising Odion Olaye as the chairman of NURTW even after spending 20 years on the seat.
“Osaigbovo is using the office of the Chief of Staff to sabotage a due process that the governor has initiated, thereby denigrating the directive of Obaseki’s transparent procedure of getting things done. It pains my heart to know that despite the governor’s genuine effort to solve the NURTW crisis in the state, the Chief of Staff is already sabotaging the outcome of the findings by circulating a signed document that Edo State Government backs Odion Olaye 20 years leadership. It will be important to categorically state that the Industrial Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State has long given judgment against Odion Olaye and also an Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State has ruled in favour of Comrade Saturday Oamen’s suit against Olaye.