Obidient Movement Warns of Looming Violence in Lagos, Demands Arrest of NURTW Chairman Over Election Threats

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The Obidient Movement has raised the alarm over what it describes as a dangerous precursor to the 2027 general elections, following viral video footage showing Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Adekunle Mustapha, popularly known as Sego, allegedly threatening to kill anyone who votes against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.

In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the Obidient Movement said the threat is a chilling reminder of the “grief and sadness” experienced during the 2023 elections, when voters—particularly supporters of Peter Obi and the Labour Party—were subjected to violence, intimidation, and in some cases, killings at the hands of NURTW members and political thugs.

“The attention of the Obidient Movement has been drawn to comments, well captured on video, by the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers Adekunle Mustapha aka Sego,” the statement said. “In summary, the said Sego, who masquerades as a Labour Union leader, threatened to kill anyone who votes against the APC in Lagos, during the next elections, scheduled for 2027.”

The group accused the APC of using the NURTW and other violent groups as “desperate attempts” to hold onto power in the face of declining popularity. “There is no doubt whatsoever that these threats and acts of murder and brigandage are desperate attempts engineered by the APC, realizing that they do not have the voting strength nor popular support to win any elections, free and fair in Lagos,” it stated.

The Obidient Movement further recalled recent incidents involving NURTW leaders, including one who was “allegedly already facing a case of murder” and was again “captured on video severely beating a dispatch rider, who later died as a result.”

According to Dr. Tanko, the lack of accountability for past acts of violence emboldens perpetrators. “Despite extensive video evidence as to the perpetrators of these criminal acts in 2023, no due diligence towards their arrest, prosecution and penalisation was pursued by the law enforcement agents,” he lamented.

Calling for immediate action, the Obidient Movement urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and all security agencies to “immediately effect the arrest, detention and prosecution of this NURTW Chairman, and all others who have been long involved in the perpetration of these threats, murders and politically related criminal acts.”

The group also notified the international community of what it termed “crimes against humanity and threats to peace in Nigeria.” It warned that if authorities continue to ignore these threats, citizens might be forced to defend themselves, with dire consequences. “It is not rocket science to see that innocent citizens will not continue to watch as these criminals constitute threats to their lives… it is only a matter of time before the people start to organise themselves in self-defense against these criminals, which will be an invitation to anarchy.”

While urging Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, the Obidient Movement stressed that the 2027 elections must reflect the will of the people. “For the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral laws 2027, there must be ZERO TOLERANCE for any rigging, manipulation or political violence,” the statement read. “It will be the duty of all patriotic Nigerians and indeed the Global community, not only to stand boldly to assist the authorities in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election, but to make sure that all agents of violence and manipulation are checked by enforcement of law.”

The statement concluded with a note of hope: “A new Nigeria is possible.”

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