Following what they perceive as forced denial of their weighty allegations of unlawful victimization and extortion levelled against Chief Kenneth Okafor, aggrieved members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Imo State Chapter, have threatened to make public names of his victims.
Recall that members of the union recently accused Chief Okafor, Special Adviser on Transport to Gov Hope Uzodinma of taxing branch chairmen of the union, and relieving them of their jobs when they default in paying the tax.
However, the state chairman, Hon Samuel Ude at a media briefing early this week, dismissed the claim, saying nothing like that is happening in the union.
But, in another chat with newsmen, members of the union not only expressed disappointment over the claim of the chairman, but declared that they are in the process of compiling names of genuine, committed and law abiding members of the union who, have come under the sledge hammer of Chief Okafor, for publication in newspapers.
According to them the action has become necessary to help the government of Gov Uzodinma know which of the two parties is lying, and which is saying the truth, on the issue in contention.
Furthermore, the group claimed the action will permanently put to rest the seeming accusations and counter accusations that have trailed the matter, and made it appear like mere political blackmail.
They reiterated the allegation that the Special Adviser is not only victimizing members of the union, but also throwing well known and loyal members of APC out of job, and replacing them with core opposition figures who, only joined the party in the wake of getting union job.
They further alleged that a good number of those who have suffered intimidation and victimization in his hands are from Orlu Zone, noting that, it is a clear pointer to the fact that the Transport aide’s action is being motivated by personal and selfish interests, rather than the interest of the party and the government he is serving.
While declaring total and unalloyed loyalty and support to Gov Uzodinma’s government for its love for the union as demonstrated by the return of management of parks to the union, the members called on him to use his good office to address the ongoing ugly development in the union.
