COMTUA condemns former governor's aide for meddling in its affairs

The former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa has been flayed for meddling in the affairs of truckers in the state.

In an open letter addressed to the former adviser and copied the media, the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) warned him to desist from his plan to impose his candidate on the truckers.

In the letter, signed by the National President of COMTUA, Comrade Adeyinka Aroyewun, the association noted that it has been reliably informed of Giwa's continuous interference, partisanship and obvious blackmail of leaders and members of the truckers' association.

COMTUA stated that it is aware, as he has claimed, of the assurances he had from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to return to the Ministry of Transport; this time on a promotion as a commissioner.

COMTUA asserted that it is not disturbed and neither will it be intimidated by this, especially when the association is non-political.

The association advised Hon. Giwa to desist from his ambition of imposing one Alhaji Lookman Shittu as head of the association.

"We have been deceived in the past, to think you meant well for our industry while in office. This is mainly the reason why our collaboration wrote a commendation letter to you when you left office. Just as we did to other political officeholders.

"We regret our commendation messages to you, especially when your tricks have fully been revealed to our members.

"We continue to wonder why, even out of office, you continue to meddle negatively on the activities of our association.

"The complaints by our people against extortion, harassment and intimidation by hoodlums and touts, were never addressed by the ministry under your watch, instead, you often claim that the government relies on them for election victory.

"It has come to our understanding that the disunity amongst our members is sponsored and fuelled by you. Your intention to impose a Chairman on us and your insistent on our elected chairman to step down or resigning after the election is an indication that your return on investment can only be guaranteed with your choice of chairman.

"I shall advise you to desist from your sinister agenda against the trucking union.

"Our association strongly condemns any attempt to impose any individual on us, as we believe in the principle of fair competition, merit and transparency in all our dealings.

"We urge you to respect our association's autonomy and allow our elected leaders to exercise the right given to them. Any attempt to influence or manipulate the outcome of our election will be met with stiff resistance and legal action.

"We also advise you to desist from any act that may tarnish the image of our association or its members.

Our association is committed to promoting professionalism, safety, and good governance in the transportation industry.

"Finally, we call on all our members to remain calm and focused, as we continue to work together for the growth and development of our industry," COMTUA sternly warned the former Governor's adviser.