Members of the Osun State Park Management and the Osun State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers are currently at loggerhead over the 2026 governorship elections in the State.
The NURTW led by its acting Chairman, Kazeem Oyewale aka Asiri Eniba at a meeting in Ilesa on Thursday said it is ready to mobilise its members to vote against the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2026, citing alleged maltreatment of members.
Oyewale, who acknowledged the non-partisanship of the Union, said members of the Union will align with any political Party that respects the interest of its members.
Oyewale said, “It is quite unfortunate that we found ourselves in this kind of situation today despite our commitment to the growth and development of our dear state as members of a critical sector of the economy. Historically, our Union has been a remarkable partner in the progress of our dear state since her creation—the role cut short by the current administration shortly after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“It is on record that our Union was scrapped immediately the incumbent Governor took over the mantle of leadership of the state and since then hundreds of our members have been rendered jobless, idle and redundant for no just cause.
“While we remain resolute in our determination to take back our position as it useys to be in the past, before the inception of the present government, we are equally ready to give the absolute support to the party that recognized us while in government, and I can assure you that very soon our position will be restored.
“So, I am elated that this stakeholders’ meeting under my leadership is coming at the right time to address sundry issues bordering on the new development as regards the insinuations of the political affiliation of the former chairman of our Union. I feel compelled to address the recent report concerning the former Osun NURTW Chairman, Chief Olalekan Folorunsho who allegedly switched political affiliations and purportedly joined and led members of the Union to another party.
“We are not in anyway in agreement with whatever the decision taken by the former chairman politically as he has his personal choice to make. So, we are using this opportunity to tell the whole world that we know nothing about the alleged political switch and that he (former chairman) doesn’t represent the Union in any political party. His tenure as Union chairman ended in 2022 when he voluntarily stepped down.
Reacting to the dumping of Adeleke, Chairman of the PMS, Nurudeen Alowonle countered the NURTW chairman, stating that the current government is working with transporters in the State.
Alowonle described the statement by Asiri Eniba as one informed by personal interests.
He said, “We wish to categorically reject these baseless remarks, which do not represent the position of the majority of NURTW members or the people of Osun State.
It is important to emphasize that the NURTW, as a reputable non-partisan union, is committed to the welfare of its members, not political involvement. Governor Adeleke’s administration introduced the Park Management Committee (PMC) to reform and improve the transport sector for the benefit of all stakeholders. The majority of NURTW members are fully committed to this initiative, recognizing that it promotes professionalism, orderliness, and better working conditions within the transport system.
The claims of a purported Osun Acting NURTW chairman, Alhaji Kazeem Oyewale, who spoke during the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the Owa Obokun palace hall, Ilesa on Thursday is nothing more than the expressions of frustration from those unwilling to acknowledge the sweeping progress being made under Governor Adeleke’s administration. These elements are driven by personal interests rather than the collective good of the people.
Governor Adeleke has consistently prioritized the welfare of Osun workers and pensioners, ensuring timely payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities. His administration’s infrastructure development, from roads to schools, healthcare to agriculture, has made significant impacts, further solidifying Osun’s path to sustainable growth. These achievements speak to a government that is focused on delivering people-oriented governance.”
