By OLA AJAYI, IBADAN
The seeming uncontrollable crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State got to the climax today as the dismissed Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Salako aka Eleweomo and two others were killed in a fresh crisis that erupted during the local government congress of the party.
Also, the Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin escaped death by the whiskers when some gun-wielding hoodlums ambushed him during the conduct of the election, but two of his supporters were felled by the attackers’ bullets. During the bloody clash, no fewer than 15 vehicles were said to have been burnt.
Though several calls made to the State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Adisa Baba Bolanta were not picked, the death of the union leader was confirmed by the interim Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government where the attack took place.
While confirming the death of the dead NURTW boss, the interim Chairman of Ona-ara Local Government, Alhaji Tunde Olayiwola who was appointed about two weeks ago said that the former chairman of the union was murdered during the attack.
There have been counter accusations as to what led to the attack that led to the death of the chairman and two others.
While Olayiwola pointed accusing fingers at the loyalists of the Senator Folarin, some people loyal to the Senator insisted that the attack was initiated by members of the NURTW loyal to Salako. They said Salako led other hoodlums to disrupt the local government congress of the party because they felt the results in that local government might not favour the governor.
While speaking with Vanguard on phone yesterday, Layiwola who was an eye witness said, “the attack was masterminded by Senate Leader who asked his boys to attack our men. See, they have killed Eleweomo. His remains are lying on the ground before me now. They also damaged 15 vehicles, my official car and that of Jumoke Akinjide were among the vehicles burnt”.
“They also shot a man from the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission. He is seriously injured. We have rushed him to the hospital. How can people be spreading wicked rumour that I led the attack on the Senate leader?
“Can we do all what these people have done. It was Folarin that led some mobile policemen who were accompanied by the police escort and started shooting our men. They came in three buses. It happened just about an hour ago. Unless, you press men want to turn it upside down. This is the body of Eleweomo on ground. Is it possible that we killed Eleweomo?, he asked.
Also condemning the attack, Folarin said he had reported the alleged invasion of the local government to the commissioner of police, Adisa Bolanta yesterday but alleged that the CP refused to act on it.
He added that it was wrong for the government to engage the NURTW he had earlier proscribed to intimidate party faithful who had come out to exercise their membership rights.
He regretted that two people were murdered in the attack and that other two were on danger list in the hospital.
The drivers’ union which has apparently been hijacked by politicians to serve their selfish interests has been engulfed in crisis for quite some months now with tongues wagging that the Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala was shielding the ex-chairman of the union.
There has been fierce battle between Eleweomo and the reinstated Chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo over the control of the union in the state.
After the controversial removal of Tokyo, he took the matter to the National Industrial Court which confirmed him as the authentic chairman of the union.
But, the government of Alao-Akala has refused to recognize him owing to the frosty relationship between them.
Instead of enforcing the court order, the State Government proscribed the union and allegedly appointed some loyalists of Eleweomo as motor park managers in all the 33 local government in the state.
Dissatisfied with what he described as robbing Peter to pay Paul, Tokyo has since been finding means to gain the full control of the union.
There have been several clashes between the two union leaders which resulted in death of scores of people.
During an interview with Vanguard few weeks ago, Eleweomo said, the only way to resolve the crisis in the union was for the police to detain him and Tokyo.
He spoke in Yoruba saying, “any matter that is in court, it is court that would settle it. I said something before we started that Tokyo and I are the ones causing problems in the state. The police should detain the two of us. And when that is done, there would be peace in the state. We are the agents causing apprehension and tension in the state. Why should we be suffering the innocent people who are not our union members? It is unfair. As we are now, no one can claim he is the chairman, the union has been proscribed. And Industrial court is not the end of the matter. The Appeal Court is there”.
Tension in town
Immediately the death of Eleweomo was spread in motor parks in Ibadan metropolis, many drivers except the ones plying the roads on the outskirts of the city withdrew their services and some workers both government and private were scared that there could be reprisal attack. People were calling their relatives on phone to go back home wherever they were.
| Posted: at | |
popo2009
TRENDING GISTS 
63-Yr-Old Land Agent, Taye Hussein Abubakar Dies After Months In Detention At Kwara Correctional Facility
Newly Wedded Nigerian Comedienne, Wofaifada Marks 34th Birthday With Joyful Photos
Prince Harry Extends Support To Wounded Nigerian Soldiers During Visit To Kaduna Military Hospital (Video)
Naira Returns As World Worst-performing Currency Over The Last Months
So Sad! 3 Boys Met Untimely Death In Delta State As A Result Of Generator Fumes
Manchester United v Arsenal: English Premier League Match,Team News,Goal Scorers and Stats