RTEAN Rejects Member’s Involvement in Tinubu/Shettima 2027 Trip, Raises Accountability Questions

Funmi Ogundare

The Southwest Zone of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has formally distanced itself from the actions of one of its members, Alhaji Musa Muhammed (Maitakobi), who participated in a recent courtesy visit by the Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 group to Vice‑President Kashim Shettima. The association clarified that his conduct does not reflect its collective stance.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, RTEAN chairman Samuel Agbede affirmed the association’s continued support for the re‑election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice‑President Shettima in 2027. He added that no individual may speak on behalf of the organization without prior consultation with its recognized structures and leadership bodies.

Agbede emphasized that the association’s position should not be mistaken for opposition to the Tinubu administration. He noted that RTEAN had previously endorsed the president and vice‑president for a second term through a collective decision made by members across the six South‑west states.

“Our concern is simply that no individual should appropriate the collective mandate of the association or present personal actions as the position of RTEAN without due consultation and approval,” he said.

The chairman also revealed that Musa Muhammed is currently the subject of concerns and disputes raised by several zones of the association. The issues relate to accountability, transparency, and the management of assets and interventions received in the name of RTEAN.

Among the allegations are the handling of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses allocated for transport operators and members, as well as questions over the management and distribution of Federal Government transport palliatives reportedly worth close to N1 billion received on behalf of members nationwide.

Agbede expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the lack of broad consultation and stakeholder engagement on matters affecting the association.

According to him, “The issues remain unresolved despite the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and continue to be discussed within various organs and zones of the association.”

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts to support transport operators through empowerment and intervention programmes, he urged authorities to ensure that future interventions are implemented through transparent, inclusive, and verifiable processes that guarantee equitable access for intended beneficiaries.

Agbede specifically cited reports of the planned distribution of 10,000 electric tricycles, describing the initiative as an opportunity for the government to demonstrate fairness, accountability, and inclusiveness in the execution of empowerment programmes.

The chairman maintained that RTEAN remains a nationwide organisation representing millions of transport operators, vehicle owners, logistics workers, and support personnel whose interests must be protected through democratic and transparent processes.

Consequently, he called on government institutions and public officials to engage only with recognised and duly constituted structures of transport associations on sector‑related matters, while urging relevant authorities to promote transparency and accountability in all intervention programmes targeted at transport operators.

He also appealed to stakeholders in the transport sector to uphold the principles of consultation, inclusiveness, and responsible leadership, and encouraged members nationwide to remain committed to the unity, integrity, and progress of the association.

Reaffirming its support for the Tinubu administration, the chairman stated: “Mobilisation efforts for the president’s and vice‑president’s re‑election have already commenced across its structures and will continue in the coming months.”