The Ogun State Unified Truck Owners and Drivers Association (OGSSTUDA) has distanced itself from Moruf Bello, popularly known as Kaka, following his purported claim to the leadership of the association.
The association described Bello as an impostor, stressing that its members would not accept any attempt to bring in or impose an individual from outside the organisation as their chairman.
The association made its position known on Wednesday at an emergency meeting and press conference held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, where members expressed their opposition to Bello’s alleged claim to the chairmanship.
According to the association, Bello had allegedly been presenting himself on social media as its chairman while claiming the backing and recognition of some politicians and transport union leaders in the state.
Speaking through the association’s Secretary and President of the First Nigerian Tipper and Lorry Drivers’ Association, Chief Nureni Ogunsola, the Chairman, Mr Isiaka Bamidele, maintained that he remained the authentic chairman of the Ogun State Unified Trucks and Trailers Drivers Association.
Ogunsola said the association would not accept any attempt to impose Bello on its members, warning that such a development could create tension among truck and trailer drivers in the state.
He also questioned Bello’s alleged experience in the trucking profession, stressing that anyone seeking to lead an association of professional truck drivers should understand the nature and demands of the trade.
“We truck drivers don’t like trouble and we don’t want anyone to cause trouble for us. The government should stop him. We do not want to hear that Kaka is the chairman of our association anymore.
“There is a lot of training involved in truck driving, and this person in question does not even have any truck driving experience. Anyone who does not understand our trade should not venture into the field,” he said.
Ogunsola further expressed concern that the alleged development was already generating tension among some youths within the association.
“From now on, we do not want to hear about Kaka. Let them not cause trouble for us. Since then, our youths have started flaring up. Various phone calls are coming in, and that is how trouble starts,” he added.
Also speaking, Alhaji Rabiu Alabede affirmed that Bamidele remained the chairman of the association, urging members and stakeholders to disregard any claim suggesting that another person had taken over its leadership.
Alabede, President of the Trailer Drivers Association of Ogun State, said the association had an established leadership structure and had maintained peace and unity among its members.
“Our association has been existing with peace and without conflict. Nobody should come and cause divisions among us. We have been working together peacefully, and we want that peace to continue,” he said.
Alabede also announced the association’s political support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
He said, “We are fully behind Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Yayi, for governor. We are supporting Yayi, and not any other political party’s governorship candidate.”
He, however, appealed to the senator to recognise and work closely with the association.
The emergency meeting, according to the leaders, was convened to address reports concerning Bello’s alleged claim, hear members’ concerns and formally communicate the association’s position.
The leaders also appealed to the Ogun State Government to intervene and prevent any development capable of causing division, tension or conflict among truck and trailer drivers in the state.
Other leaders present at the meeting included Chief Alhaji Lateef Raimi, Alao Kabiru Bankole, Alhaji Alabede Quadri and other members of the association.
The association also clarified that OGSSTUDA is headed by Chief Ajetumobi, while the various leaders at the meeting represented different truck and trailer drivers’ groups.
