The crisis between the leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Ekiti State Chapter, over the extension of the tenure of the chairman is gradually coming to an end as the state EXCO has been directed by the national body to step aside.
The State Chairman of the union, Rotimi Olabiwonu, Secretary, Sesan Ogunlade and the former chairman, have been locked in disagreement over the extension of the tenure of the current chairman.
Against this background, a 5-man committee was set up for the period of 10 days to investigate the cause of the matter, with the factions advised to give peace a chance.
The National Executive President of the union, Musa Shehu, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, where he appealed to the members to maintain peace and unity as the problems would be resolved soon. There he revealed the latest development on the crisis.
Shehu also debunked the rumour making the round that the crisis was fuelled by the N100 million purportedly given to the Union by the State Government; stressing that the rumour was untrue and baseless.
“I have read in the newspapers that the crisis was caused by some money, but in the last two days that I have been here, I have investigated this both from the side of government which they accused of giving out the money and I found that there is nothing like that.
“It is the leaders of the union that are causing the fight. We will take care of that and as soon as I leave this place, I will see the Commissioner of Police and I will decide the matter before I leave this State”, he said.
Governor Fayemi, in his short remarks said that his interest was peace in the state. While appealling to the members to maintain peace and unity, he said: “The association has been peaceful here and it has been very supportive of the developmental agenda of the government particularly in the transport sector. All the warring factions are people that have been supportive. We don’t read any political undertone to whatever has happened within the union.
“All we are interested in is peace and progress for the betterment of our society. I have every confidence that you will resolve this matter amicably and in the best interest of the association and Ekiti state.”