- The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) says it will not allow its members to be used as political thugs
- Alhaji Mohammed Musa says the RTEAN has started sensitising its members ahead of the general election in Lagos
- He also emphasises that members of the association need to have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)
The leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Lagos state chapter, on Friday, December 7, declared that members of the union would not be used as political thugs in the 2019 general elections.
The chairman of RTEAN in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, reportedly gave the assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the warning by the Lagos police commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, to transport unions.
The report says that Edgal recently warned members of the transport union that the police was ready to battle any group that was out to disrupt the electioneering processes.
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It was learnt that Edgal issued the warning following allegations that some politicians were arming union members to cause chaos should their candidates not emerge victorious in next year’s election.
Edgar met with the chairmen of 64 political parties and their candidates as well as other security agencies held at the police Officers’ Mess Ikeja.
The report said that Musa told NAN that the union had sensitised its members and warned them to stay away from electotal violence.
“We have warned our members to steer clear of electoral violence and thuggery before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
“We have stressed the need for each member of the transport union to possess Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them install representatives they want in government.
“We have warned that the union will disown any member caught in violence, so I believe that my union members will not engage in electoral violence,” he said.
He issued a warning to politicians to also desist from luring and inducing transport union members to perpetrate violence.
“As their leader, I have my voter card. I have advised every one of my members to go and get their PVCs.
“Our members should not be used by politicians and they have been warned never to be involved in such dealing with any politician.
“So, police should count our members out of those who will cause trouble during elections; we have done enough sensitisation.
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“What I told all my members is that all they need to do is to get their PVCs which we have made compulsory for all,” the RTEAN boss said.
He urged the police should focus more on the politicians who might be buying arms to win power adding that the association will deny and expel any member involved in violence.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Kwara police command recently said that political thugs and cultists in the state would be cleared from before the 2019 general elections.
The commissioner of police, Fafowora Bolaji, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that the measure would ensure a peaceful exercise.
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Source: Legit.ng