Ogun commercial motorcyclists protest alleged government interference in association

The commercial motorcyclists said they would implement a court order they secured.

Hundreds of members of Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, Ogun State Chapter, under the faction known as Anacowa on Thursday protested alleged government interference in their internal operations.

The motorcyclists further alleged that in spite of a court judgement in suit number AB/234/2011, which held that the association’s members can operate freely as motorcyclists without necessarily joining a rival association, Acomoran, which allegedly has the backing of the state government; state officials are still trying to coerce its members.

The protesters, who peacefully converged at their Isale-Ake, Abeokuta, secretariat declared that they would commence operations next Monday in compliance to the court ruling.

Addressing a press conference in company of other members, the association’s state chairman, Nurudeen Shogeyinbo, recalled that the House of Assembly had earlier approved the merger of all seven existing associations with a declaration that two representatives each from the associations should form Board of Trustee.

He said the state government did not allow any member of his association to be part of the board, alleging that, instead, the state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Akeem Adeosun, alias Jango, was used by government to hijack the process.

Mr. Shogeyinbo called on the police to comply with the court ruling when members start operations on Monday and to avoid harassing or arresting them.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 guarantee rights to freedom of association. Everyone residing in Nigeria have the right to belong to any association where his/her interest will be protected,” he said.