There is palpable tension in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital as members of the Amalgamate Motorcycle, Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) are set for a showdown
ahead of the association’s election.
The Ogun State government through its transport committee headed by Sunday Adeniyi had initially fixed Wednesday, February 19 for the election of the transport union but the committee has postponed the election.
Loyalists of the two strong contenders for the Chairmanship position, Kayode Sowunmi and Shotayo Razaq, popularly known as Sholebo had already concluded plans for the election until the sudden postponement.
Investigations by Nigeria Standard revealed that the postponement of the election may be as a result of an allegation of “imposition” by some powers that be, both within the government and some influential individuals.
According to a source, the postponement of the election was a strategy by some powerful people to impose a Chairmanship candidate on the union members.
The source furthered alleged that Alhaji Samsondeen Apelogun popularly known as “All Rounder” was behind the crisis rocking the union.
He accused Apelogun of threatening to thwart any voting arrangement which may favour Sholebo, Chairmanship aspirant against his alleged preferred candidate, Kayode Sowunmi.
There is palpable fear around Akin Olugbade – Pepsi/Quarry areas of Abeokuta where the Secretariat of ACOMORAN is located.
Residents and shop owners around the area are on under tension for fear of possible violent attacks by members of the union.
A resident, Mrs Adijat Anifowose who spoke with Nigeria Standard, said the lives people living in the area were in danger as a result of the union’s crisis.
She added that people living very close to the ACOMORAN State secretariat may vacate their houses to avoid bloodshed among the transport union.
Meanwhile, loyalists of Sholebo have vowed to resist any attempt by any individual or “government official” to impose an “unpopular” candidate on them.
Efforts to get the reaction of the transport committee to confirm the election postponement from the Committee Chairman, Femi Sunday Adeniyi was futile as his number could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.
