The demonstrators claimed that the state government was planning to re-elect Mr Jacob Adebo, the union’s immediate past chairman to a second term in office.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Odusola Stevenson, the government said on Sunday that the union’s operations in public parks had been suspended.
The article was titled “Ondo state government sets up park management committee”
According to the statement, Adebo, the union’s immediate past chairman, was named head of the committee, while Mr Bayode Gbenga was named secretary.
The statement read, “Consequent upon protracted crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers operating in the public motor parks in Ondo State, the government has intervened by setting up Motor Park Management Committee to manage and administer all the public motor parks in the state.
“The government noted the unfortunate unending crisis and litigation involving the union in court which has adversely affected activities in the public motor parks in the state.
“The government therefore has decided to take over all the public motor parks in the state and set-up a committee to administer same. The union’s activities in public parks in the state are accordingly suspended.”
Bankole said, “This directive is sequel to the ban placed on union activities in Lagos State by the state governor. Henceforth, no member of the union should make any payments whatsoever at any of the state council offices.
“Also be informed that meetings are temporarily suspended, and any gathering whatsoever will not be allowed at the council’s premises. This is to avoid anyone being embarrassed or arrested by the security agencies as a result of flouting the order of the governor.
“I will also advise our members to stop any payments of any form to avoid duplicate payments. The National Headquarters in Abuja and the Southwest office, Zone 2, in Osogbo, will communicate at the appropriate time when to make payments.”
