MC Oluomo reclaims NURTW Secretariat in Abuja as leadership battle with Baruwa escalates

Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has regained control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) national secretariat in Abuja, deepening an already tense leadership crisis within one of Nigeria’s most influential transport unions.

The dramatic reversal came on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, just hours after a rival faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa briefly occupied the secretariat, claiming it was acting on the strength of court judgments. By Tuesday, however, MC Oluomo’s camp had retaken the facility, with videos circulating online showing the union leader inspecting the premises and assessing alleged damage. Multiple Nigerian outlets reported the same sequence of events, confirming that control of the Abuja secretariat shifted twice in less than 48 hours.

The development has reignited public attention around the NURTW leadership tussle, with both sides insisting they are acting lawfully. For observers, the latest clash is not just about a building in Abuja, it is a visible sign of the wider battle over who legitimately controls the powerful transport union.

What Happened at the NURTW Secretariat in Abuja?

Reports indicate that the crisis escalated after Baruwa’s faction moved into the NURTW national secretariat on Monday, saying it was enforcing court-backed rights to the property and leadership structure. Baruwa told journalists the move was “peaceful” and not a forceful takeover, arguing that his camp had informed the police and attached copies of the judgments it was relying on. He also alleged that one of his members was attacked during the process and later hospitalised.

By Tuesday, however, MC Oluomo’s faction had returned to the secretariat and re-established control. Videos published by Nigerian media and referenced from TVC News showed Akinsanya at the facility, inspecting offices and reviewing what he said were damaged areas after the rival occupation. This visual evidence helped turn the story into one of the day’s most talked-about union and political news developments.

The speed of the back-and-forth takeover has underscored how fragile the situation remains.

Why Baruwa Says the Takeover Was Legal

Tajudeen Baruwa has insisted that his faction’s move was based on valid legal authority. According to reports, he said the occupation was simply the execution of court orders and not an attempt to create disorder. He maintained that his camp had already notified the police and expected security agencies to assist in enforcing what he described as the lawful recovery of the secretariat.

This legal framing is central to Baruwa’s position. His arguement is that the court judgments in his favour justify reclaiming both physical control of the secretariat and, by implication, the authority structure around the union’s national leadership.

That claim, however, is exactly what MC Oluomo’s side strongly disputes.

MC Oluomo’s Response: ‘I Was Not a Defendant’

In response to the occupation, MC Oluomo described the action as a “forceful takeover” and said the legal matter is still far from settled. According to statements attributed to him and quoted by multiple outlets, Akinsanya argued that he was not a defendant in the judgment being cited by Baruwa’s camp. He also said the ruling had already been appealed, and that a stay of execution had been entered.

That claim is critical because, in legal and political terms, a stay of execution typically means enforcement of a judgment should be paused pending further court action. If that position holds, it could weaken Baruwa’s justification for taking over the secretariat before appellate proceedings are concluded.

Akinsanya further urged union members to remain calm and law-abiding, while maintaining that he remains the National President of NURTW as the court dispute continues. Several reports quoted him as saying security agencies were already on top of the situation.

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Who Is the Current NURTW President? Why the Leadership Dispute Matters

At the heart of the crisis is a simple but highly contested question: Who is the legitimate National President of NURTW?

MC Oluomo was widely reported to have emerged as NURTW National President in November 2024, after being elected during the union’s zonal delegate conference in Osun State and later sworn in at the national secretariat in Abuja. Coverage at the time by multiple outlets described him as the sole candidate in the process and confirmed his formal assumption of office.

But the Baruwa faction has continued to challenge that leadership arrangement, citing court rulings and asserting that its own claim to the union’s top office remains valid. The latest secretariat confrontation shows that the dispute is no longer limited to legal filings and public statements, it has now become a contest over physical control of the union’s headquarters.

That matters because NURTW is one of Nigeria’s most powerful transport unions, with influence that stretches across urban transport operations, union dues, park management, and local political networks.

Why the MC Oluomo–Baruwa Clash Is Bigger Than a Union Dispute

The MC Oluomo NURTW crisis is attracting national attention not only because of the personalities involved, but also because of the broader implications.

NURTW has long been viewed as more than a transport union. In many parts of Nigeria, especially in major cities, it plays a visible role in transport coordination, revenue structures, union mobilization, and grassroots political influence. Any prolonged leadership battle inside the union can therefore affect both internal operations and public perception of stability.

For MC Oluomo, who remains one of the most recognisable figures in Nigeria’s transport union landscape, the Abuja secretariat standoff is also a test of authority. For Baruwa’s faction, the legal fight is about recognition and enforcement.

As of Tuesday evening, the immediate outcome was clear: MC Oluomo had regained the secretariat. But the larger legal and leadership battle appears far from over.

What Happens Next in the NURTW Leadership Crisis?

The next phase will likely depend on court proceedings, enforcement actions, and security management around the secretariat.

If the appeal and stay of execution cited by MC Oluomo’s camp are upheld, his position could remain stronger in the short term. But if Baruwa’s faction continues to rely on earlier judgments and pushes for further enforcement, the crisis could deepen.

For now, what is certain is that the NURTW leadership crisis has entered another volatile chapter, one that is likely to remain in the headlines as both camps continue to fight for legitimacy, legal advantage, and control of the union’s national structure.

FAQ

1. What happened between MC Oluomo and Baruwa at the NURTW secretariat?

A rival faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa briefly occupied the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja on March 23, 2026, claiming it was acting on court judgments. On March 24, 2026, MC Oluomo (Musiliu Akinsanya) regained control of the secretariat and inspected the premises after the takeover.

2. Did MC Oluomo regain the NURTW secretariat in Abuja?

Yes. Multiple Nigerian media reports confirmed that MC Oluomo regained control of the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja on March 24, 2026 after a brief occupation by a rival faction.

3. Why did Baruwa take over the NURTW secretariat?

Tajudeen Baruwa said his faction took over the secretariat because it was enforcing court judgments that it believes support its claim. He said the move was peaceful and carried out in line with court orders.

4. What did MC Oluomo say about the court judgment?

MC Oluomo said he was not a defendant in the judgment being cited by Baruwa’s camp. He also stated that the judgment had been appealed and that a stay of execution had already been entered, meaning enforcement should be paused while the legal process continues.

5. Is MC Oluomo still the NURTW National President?

MC Oluomo says he remains the National President of NURTW and has urged members to stay calm while the court dispute continues. However, the issue remains contested because the Baruwa faction also claims legal backing for its position.

6. Who is the current NURTW president in 2026?

As of the latest reports on March 24, 2026, MC Oluomo is publicly acting and asserting authority as NURTW National President, and he has regained physical control of the union’s Abuja secretariat. However, because of the ongoing court-backed dispute with Baruwa’s faction, the matter remains legally contested.

7. When did MC Oluomo become NURTW National President?

MC Oluomo was widely reported to have emerged as NURTW National President in November 2024, after an election at the union’s zonal delegate conference in Osun State and a subsequent swearing-in in Abuja.

8. Why is NURTW in crisis?

The NURTW crisis is driven by a long-running leadership dispute between factions aligned with MC Oluomo and Tajudeen Baruwa. Both sides claim legal and organisational legitimacy, and the disagreement has now extended to control of the union’s national secretariat.

9. Was there violence during the NURTW secretariat takeover?

Baruwa said his faction’s takeover was peaceful, but he also alleged that one of his members was attacked and hospitalised. MC Oluomo’s camp described the move as a forceful takeover. So while both sides differ on the details, the situation was clearly tense.

10. What is a stay of execution in the NURTW case?

A stay of execution generally means a court judgment should not be enforced immediately while an appeal or further legal process is ongoing. MC Oluomo’s camp says such a stay has already been entered in the NURTW dispute, which is why it argues Baruwa’s faction should not have taken over the secretariat.

11. Why is the MC Oluomo story trending in Nigeria today?

The story is trending because it combines politics, union power, legal drama, and video evidence. The rapid takeover and retake of the NURTW secretariat in Abuja within hours has made it one of the day’s most talked-about developments in Nigerian news.

12. Is the NURTW leadership battle over?

No. Although MC Oluomo has regained the secretariat, the broader legal and leadership dispute with Baruwa’s faction is still unresolved and may continue in court and within the union’s structures.