By Onome Oghenetega
The Delta State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) says the union and its members are committed to violence-free polls in the rescheduled 2019 general elections.
It also warned members of the union to desist from activities capable of hindering the free, fair and credible elections in the state as Nigeria beginning another round of voting on Saturday February 23, 2019.
State Chairman of NURTW, Chief Ifeanyi Obi stated this on Wednesday in Asaba after a meeting with some leaders of the body, saying that the union would support government in ensuring a successful electoral process.
While charging its members to turn out en mass and vote for the candidates of their choice, Obi urged them to eschew any act of thuggery or actions that could give the body a bad name.
According to him, “this election involves all of us, we are concerned just like every Nigerian for the best person to emerge and our members should not be seen engaging in action that is illegal in any way or actions that will mar the success of the elections.”
“Members of NURTW are law-abiding, most of us are adults who are qualified to vote, some of our members are contesting in the elections; we should go out on the day of the elections, cast our votes as expected of any good citizen and watch the process.
“We should not be involved in any act of thuggery or be seen to be engaging in anything that is illegal. We believe that INEC will get it right, we know that by now, they would have concluded plans concerning transportation because, our members are not expected to be seen on the road on the days of the elections unless they are on special duties as approved by the INEC.”
While, however, appealing to politicians to stop using members of the council to fomenting unnecessary trouble, he warned that any member caught in the act of lawlessness would face sanction of the NURTW.
“I want to also, appeal to politicians, including those who are contesting in the elections to avoid using our members to engage in any act that is illegal because, anyone who is caught doing such would face the wrath of the Union. We desire successful, peaceful, free and fair elections where the best candidates would emerge for our country.
“Our Governor, Senator Okowa has displayed an exemplary style of campaign and we can confidently say that we, the drivers are greatest beneficiaries of his campaign style which involves commissioning of roads, in every part of Delta State.
“Our Governor is commissioning road projects and we must commend him for his actions; we believe that Deltans will get it right because, the life span of our vehicles have increased as we are no longer, regular guests to the mechanics because, we have good roads in all parts of Delta State courtesy of good governance of Governor Okowa and his men”, Chief Obi added.
