…begs Otti to recognize union for Aba tricycle operators
Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel
The Real Keke Operators Association Aba (REKOAA) on Tuesday demonstrated in Aba, the commercial hub of
Abia State, calling on Governor Alex Otti to intervene on what they termed “suspected plot to arrest and incarcerate their Chairman”, Comrade Chimezie Nwokejiobi by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The tricycle operators while protesting told newsmen that Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), a union they have vehemently refused to belong to, in collaboration with the DSS have allegedly concluded plot to arrest and incarcerate their Nwokejiobi on some false allegations.
Their spokesperson, Mazi Augustine Okoro said that some of the false allegations against their Chairman are that he has been recruiting thugs to destroy ASTOPU’s office and that he has been registering Aba tricycle operators into REKOAA when the association has not gotten any approval from the state government.
Okoro said that these allegations are false, stressing that Nwokejiobi has not registered anybody under REKOAA but rather is speaking the minds of other tricycle operators who came under REKOAA, chose him as ther chairman , rejected ASTOPU and are currently pleading with Abia State government to recognize them as the tricycle union in Aba.
“They are frustrating him for defending the interests of Aba tricycle operators. Just in this month of August, the DSS has invited him twice which he honoured both invitations.
“ASTOPU accused him of recruiting thugs that are planning to destroy their Aba jubilee road office, and another false accusation that he has been registering tricycle operators into REKOAA, whereby the association has not gotten any approval from the state government to operate as a union.
“These accusations are not true.They are just doing everything possible to tarnish the image of our beloved chairman having seen his popularity and the overwhelming support he is getting from us.
“Let them provide those tricycles they accused him of registering let us see. We are saying no to imposition of ASTOPU on us. ASTOPU has nothing to offer tricycle operators, they have no good plans and intentions for us. So we are rejecting them totally.”
Mr Chimezie Ogbonna, a member of REKOAA maintained that their chairman has been defending them and conducting his activities in a peaceful and lawful ways.
According to Ogbonna, Nwokejiobi only called them to a meeting, in which he advised members to go to the local government headquarters and register their tricycle in the ongoing enumeration policy by the state government, only for false allegations to be leveled against him.
“ASTOPU having failed in their several attempts to bring our chairman to the negotiation table, has resorted to blackmail and falsehood against him.
“Information we received has it that ASTOPU and their sponsors are planning to use DSS to arrest and incarcerate our law abiding chairman for having done nothing wrong.We are calling on our amiable, God fearing and hardworking governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti to intervene on this.
“We are appealing to His Excellency to remember his campaign promises of allowing various union/association of government establishments to choose their leaders among themselves.
“We beg him to officially recognize REKOAA as a tricycle union, so that our chairman will stand his ground to work for us and fish out those criminal elements masquerading as tricycle operators thereby portraying us in bad light with their criminal activities.”
