Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State announced on Thursday that the Union will not participate in the nationwide protests against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration scheduled from August 1st to 10th, 2024.
The Union urged its members not to be used by protesters to express frustrations over harsh economic conditions, rising prices of essential commodities, and petroleum products.
In a related development, the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appealed to both union members and residents of the state not to join the protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
During a peace meeting on Thursday, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Ademola Odudu, emphasized that development thrives in a peaceful environment.
The peace meeting, facilitated by Governor Aiyedatiwa to garner support for the Tinubu administration, was attended by three former NURTW chairmen: Oba Solomon Adejayan, Chief Oladutele Obayoriade, and Comrade Jacob Adebo Idajo.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the Special Adviser on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, stated that while peaceful protests are not inherently bad, the planned protest seemed aimed at causing harm to lives and property, referencing the recent situation in Kenya and the EndSars protest.
Aiyedatiwa appealed to NURTW members to avoid the protest in the interest of the state and its people.
He said, “We don’t want any pandemonium in our state. We should avoid participating in any protest here; we want peace in Ondo State and the South West in general.
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During the EndSars protest, a lot of property was destroyed, and the situation in Kenya is devastating. That’s why we are urging NURTW members not to support such actions here.”
Bola Taiwo added, “The Governor has directed that no protest leading to violence should occur in the state. We appeal to everyone to refrain from joining the planned protest.”
Ademola Odudu stated, “We have instructed all our members not to participate in any protest that could lead to lawlessness. We are not troublemakers or thugs; we are responsible citizens. The protest would destabilize our constitutional government, and we do not want that in Ondo State. We believe the planned protest aims to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s government.”
He further warned, “Any NURTW member who participates in the planned protest will face sanctions.”
The planned demonstration, inspired by recent protests in Kenya, has gained traction on social media, trending under the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance,’ ‘TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024.’