The Obidient Movement has earned that the killing of a despatch rider by a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Chapter, is a precursor to the level of brigandage and electoral violence to be unleashed by the Union during the 2027 general elections, if not curbed early enough.
The OBIdient Movement, while referring to a trending video, of the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers Adekunle Mustapha aka Sego, asked the Police to thoroughly investigate the matter and enforce justice as required by the law.
Lampooning the contents of the video, the political pressure group stated: “In summary, the said Sego, who masquerades as a Labour Union leader, threatened to kill anyone who votes against the APC in Lagos, during the next elections, scheduled for 2027”.
The statement signed by Dr. Tanko Yunusa, it’s National Coordinator, stated: “The Obidient Movement recalls with grief and sadness, the violence unleashed by this same NURTW members and other thugs, during the 2023 elections, on Nigerian voters in Lagos, particularly members of the Obidient Movement and supporters of Mr. Peter Obi and the Labour Party, resulting in the recorded killing and maiming of so many.
“There is no doubt whatsoever that these threats and acts of murder and brigandage are desperate attempts engineered by the APC, realizing that they do not have the voting strength nor popular support to win any elections, free and fair in Lagos, as with generally across the country, having failed to deliver good governance arising from their questionable mandate in the 2023 elections.
“Over the years, actions of murder, thuggery, political violence, extortion and other criminal acts have continued to be associated and even accepted as part of the operation of the NURTW in Lagos.
“Just a few weeks ago, a prominent leader of this Union in Lagos, who was allegedly,already facing a case of murder, was again captured on video severely beating a dispatch rider, who later died, as a result.
“The Obidient Movement expresses deep concern over this situation of threats, murder, political attacks and lawlessness, especially in Lagos State.
“Also very worrisome, is that despite extensive video evidence, as to the perpetrators of these criminal acts in 2023, no due diligence towards their arrest, prosecution and penalisation was pursued by the law enforcement agents”.
They noted that the “NURTW is supposedly registered as a trade union in the transport sector, and we are of the firm conviction, that it’s long years of terror, murder and political manipulation, and use as a thuggery army for corrupt and failed politicians, must now be brought to an end.
“We are by this statement calling the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who bears statutory and historical responsibility for this development; the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu; the Police, DSS, Military and all other security agencies to immediately effect the arrest, detention and prosecution of this NURTW Chairman, and all others who have been long involved in the perpetration of these threats, murders and politically related criminal acts.
“We are also putting the International Community on notice, of these crimes against humanity and threats to peace in Nigeria , and those legally responsible, by their actions and inactions”.
They added that, “It is not rocket science to see that innocent citizens will not continue to watch as these criminals constitute threats to their lives, and indeed it is reasonable to conclude, that it is only a matter of time, before the people start to organise themselves, in self defense, against these criminals, which will be an invitation to anarchy.
“The Obidient Movement urges Nigerians and it’s members to keep calm, but very alert, and report any incidents to the law enforcement agencies.
“However, for the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Laws 2027 there must be ZERO TOLERANCE for any rigging, manipulation or political violence in the 2027 elections.
“And it will be the duty of all patriotic Nigerians and indeed the Global community, not only to stand boldly to assist the authorities in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election, but to make sure that all agents of violence and manipulation are checked by enforcement of law”.
