– Govt did not appoint but confirmed – CPS
The age long internal crisis rocking the Imo State chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) between two warring factions has taken a new dimension and deepened as the state Governor has appointed a new Chairman for the union in the person of one Davidson Okorie.
An early press release from the office of the Chief Press secretary to the Governor, on August 6, 2020, indicated that “Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has appointed Ifechi Davidson Okorie (aka One man Squad) Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers Imo State Chapter.
According to the release, Okorie’s appointment takes immediate effect. Going further it said, Okorie “popularly known as “One Man Squad” is expected to bring to bear his wealth of experience garnered over the years working with NURTW in the operations of the body in Imo State in the new dispensation.
Prior to the appointment, there has been an ongoing feud in the union between two factions, with one led by Okebaram Izuchukwu (Bora) and another led by Ifeanyi.
A member of the Union who does not want his name in print while commenting on the development said that the Governor has no right to appoint a Chairman for them, as the union is a labour union that caters for the welfare of its members, adding “whosoever advised him to do that must have done so in bad faith and it must back fire”.
He went on to say that the group is a registered trade/labour union and not a government parastatal. He may as well appoint a Chairman for NUT, NUJ and other Labour Unions. He may as well appoint a Chairman for ASSU. The member vowed to resist the attempt by the Governor to impose a leader on the union.
When contacted on phone for comment on the issue, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr Ogubundu Nwadike, said that what the Governor did was not an appointment of the Chairman but a confirmation of the appointment and that he has issued a fresh release, yet to reach our news desk to the latter effect.
