Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced an indefinite ban on the operations of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) across Edo State, citing their involvement in illegal revenue collection, harassment, and organized extortion. This sweeping action follows months of public outcry and intelligence reports detailing how these unions had turned Edo’s roads and parks into unregulated taxation zones.
Governor Monday Okpebholo declared that his administration will no longer tolerate “a cabal holding the state’s transportation system hostage,” adding that their operations had “morphed into institutionalized criminality.” He noted that the unions acted with impunity, collecting illegal levies without accountability and threatening the very fabric of lawful commerce in the state.
Governor Monday Okpebholo Accuses Unions of Operating a Parallel Government
Governor Monday Okpebholo accused NURTW and RTEAN of establishing a “parallel government,” complete with illegal checkpoints, forceful ticketing, and daily taxation of drivers and traders without remitting a single kobo to state coffers. According to the governor, these unions engaged in a form of economic sabotage that crippled local businesses and increased the cost of living for everyday citizens.
Governor Monday Okpebholo cited evidence from market leaders and transporters who paid up to ₦5,000 daily just to operate within the state, often under the threat of physical violence. He stressed that the era of extortion in the name of unionism is over, describing the activities of the two unions as “a criminal cartel masquerading as labor unions.”
Governor Monday Okpebholo Sets Up Interim Transport Task Force to Take Over Parks
Governor Monday Okpebholo has inaugurated a special Interim Transport Management Task Force to take immediate control of all motor parks and transport coordination duties across Edo State. This task force, comprising security personnel, transport experts, and civil society leaders, has been empowered to enforce sanity, order, and lawful revenue collection under state laws.
Governor Monday Okpebholo stated that this task force will operate with transparency and accountability, warning that anyone caught extorting drivers or commuters will be prosecuted. He emphasized that this new structure aims to return power to the people and protect the rights of honest transport workers previously oppressed by union thugs.
Governor Monday Okpebholo Vows Prosecution of Union Leaders Involved in Crime
Governor Monday Okpebholo disclosed that legal proceedings have commenced against several executives of the banned unions who were allegedly involved in criminal conspiracy, financial misappropriation, and acts of violence. Arrest warrants have reportedly been issued, while the state government is working with anti-corruption agencies to investigate their financial dealings.
Governor Monday Okpebholo made it clear that this is not a political stunt but a sincere commitment to justice and reform. He revealed that assets traced to some of the union leaders, including luxury vehicles and properties, are under investigation for possible seizure under the state’s anti-corruption laws. “No one is above the law,” the governor declared.
Governor Monday Okpebholo Faces Union Uprising, Protests Hit Benin City
Governor Okpebholo is now battling a wave of protests sparked by the ban, with hundreds of union members storming the streets of Benin City, Auchi, and Uromi, calling for the reinstatement of their operations. The demonstrators, many dressed in union uniforms, blocked major roads and accused the governor of targeting their livelihoods without offering alternatives.
Governor Okpebholo responded by ordering the deployment of armed security to protect critical transport hubs and government installations. He warned that any attempt to disrupt public peace or damage property will be met with lawful force. “We are not against workers—we are against extortionists hiding behind union banners,” he clarified in a live press briefing.
Governor Monday Okpebholo Says Edo Sets Bold Example for Other States
Governor Okpebholo believes Edo State has set a bold precedent that other Nigerian states must emulate if they hope to reform their transport systems. According to him, the unchecked power of transport unions across Nigeria has bred a culture of impunity, where unionism is used as a tool for criminal enterprise rather than advocacy.
Governor Monday Okpebholo called on governors across the federation to rise above political convenience and prioritize the rights of commuters, small-scale traders, and lawful transport operators. He insisted that until Nigeria breaks the monopoly of rogue transport unions, true urban reform and economic progress will remain a mirage.
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