Former Lagos chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Rafiu Olohunwa, has appealed to estranged NURTW members in the state to return to the national body.

In an interview on Monday in Lagos, Mr Olohunwa urged the suspended chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, and his followers to return to the fold.

Mr Olohunwa, NURTW Lagos chairman between 2008 and 2011, said the call became necessary in the interest of peace and progress of the union.

“Whatever every one of us may have become today as a unionist is by virtue of our membership and service to the NURTW,” said Mr Olohunwa. “Therefore, we should not be seen to be taking any action that will jeopardise the unity and integrity of the union.”

The former chairman also urged the national body of the NURTW to lift MC Oluomo’s suspension.

“There’s nothing so difficult that genuine dialogue can not resolve,” he stated. “Both parties should embrace dialogue so as to resolve their differences.”

Last month, MC Oluomo announced the immediate withdrawal of “the State Administrative Council (SAC), State Executive Council (SEC) members and “the entire union rank and file members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council” from the national body of NURTW.

The pulling out followed his suspension by the NURTW for “acts of insubordination and gross misconduct.”

(NAN)