Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
Commercial Tricycle operators in Aba on Thursday, December 14, 2023 took to the streets to protest against what they described as alleged extortionist tendencies of their union leadership.
This is even as they have called on the Governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti to rein in the Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Sunny Onwuka, warning that no amount of intimidation will make them reverse their decision to quit their umbrella body – Aba Tricycle Operators Union, ASTOPU.
Newscritic.com.ng reports that following operational chaos that hitherto characterized tricycle unions, and their activities during the past regime in the state resulting from the existence of a plethora of unions, the Gov Otti led administration forced a coalition into ASTOPU.
The harmonization exercise meant to check touting, and ensure that statutory government levies do not go into private pockets has been applauded by not a few.
However, the protesting tricycle operators said they are reconsidering their membership of their umbrella body, due to an alleged unwholesome activity of the government appointed leadership.
The protest march which saw the protesters march through some major streets and roads in the commercial hub of Abia state, climaxed at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretariat on St Michael’s Road.
Addressing the media leader/Spokesperson of the aggrieved tricycle union, Kenneth Chimezie said they have decided to pull out of ASTOPU, to a preferred platform- Real Keke Operators Aba (REKOAA), adding that they can no longer continue to groan under the ASTOPU led by political actors, out only to pursue their personal interests.
“Pursuant to this resolve, we have elected our leadership under Mr Ikechukwu Emenike a tricycle operator like us.
And we believe that our interests will be better served by a body led by fellow operators.
They are in a better position to feel our pains and needs, as against the present inhuman and extortionist tendencies of the leadership of ASTOPU.
We are therefore calling on the leadership of ASTOPU to leave us alone, as we have decided to take our destiny in our hands,” Chimezie stated.
The protesting tricycle operators further alleged that all the touts and illegal levy collectors that had a field day during the immediate past regime, part of the reasons for the harmonization exercise by the present administration, have been rehabilitated by the leadership of ASTOPU.
They therefore called on Gov Otti to fulfil his electioneering promise to them, to the effect that they will be giving the latitude to choose their leaders.
“On November 27, 2023 we took a protest letter to the Gov at his Nvosi country home, which was submitted through one Uche Nwosu the protocol officer.
But up till now we have not received any response. Maybe the Governor has not seen the letter. We are using this medium to tell him about our position and we also urge him to intervene” the protesters noted.
