Alleged plans by a group to seize the leadership of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria in Ogun is now causing tension in some parts of the state.
The leader of the group, Lateef Yekini, who claimed that his group was in possession of the original certificate of registration of ACOMORAN, said that he had resumed work since January 1, 2018, following the expiration of the tenure of the current leadership of the union under Shamsudeen Apelogun .
Our correspondent learnt that Apelogun, whose tenure would have lapsed on Sunday was returned for a fresh five-year tenure after the amendment of the constitution of the union, which was alleged to have been unveiled by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.
But Yekini insisted that it was his turn to lead the union after the stipulated constitutional tenure of Apelogun, declaring that his men had taken over all the branches of the union across the state since January 1.
But the police in the state have said that it had uncovered a clandestine move by some disgruntled elements to infiltrate the transport union and cause breach of public peace.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the group, which had no legal backing, had been claiming to be a faction of one of the legally recognised transport unions in the state.
Oyeyemi, an assistant superintendent of police, said that the command had uncovered plans by some persons to cause chaos among members of the transport union in the state.
The PPRO said, “The command wishes to reiterate its commitment to maintaining peace and order as well as protecting the lives and property of the good and law-abiding citizens of the State.
“The transport unions that passed through the normal legislative procedure and legally recognised in the state are; National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association Of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) and Articulated Motorcycle Riders Association Of Nigeria (AMORAN).
“Anybody or group claiming to be a faction of any of the above mentioned unions with the aim of causing pandemonium in the state will face the full weight of the law”.
Similarly, the state government warned the Yekini-led group against any attempt to disturb the existing peace in the state ,warning the faction to stay away from the parks and garages in the state.
The General Manager of the state’s Parks and Garages, Ayo Ogunsolu, declared that the state government recognised only the Shamsudeen Apelogun-led ACOMORAN.
But the Secretary of ACOMORAN in the state, Kayode Showunmi, said that the union had no faction, adding that Yekini was no more a member of the union .
Showunmi explained that Yekini lost his membership in 2011 when he allegedly embezzled the union’s money, which resulted in his arraignment and subsequent conviction.
He said both the state and Federal Governments recognised and relate with Apelogun as the chairman of ACOMORAN in the state.
