The Obidient Movement, on Friday, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Adekunle Mustapha, popularly known as Sego, following a viral videoin which he allegedly threatened to unleash violence on Lagos voters in 2027.
The National Coordinator of the group, Dr Yunusa Tanko, who made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja, described Sego’s remarks as a “dangerous precursor” to the next general elections and a fresh attempt to intimidate opposition supporters in the state.
Tanko cried that the threats in the viral video brought back painful memories of the 2023 elections, where voters—particularly supporters of Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi were attacked and, in some cases, killed by suspected thugs linked to the transport union.
The statement partly read, “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 Obidient Movement recalls with grief and sadness the violence unleashed on Nigerian voters by these same NURTW members and other thugs during the 2023 elections in Lagos,”
Tanko alleged that the threats were part of “desperate attempts engineered by the APC” which, it claimed, lacked the popularity to win free and fair elections in Lagos.
He further accused the NURTW of being used as a political militia for “failed politicians”, insisting that years of violence and extortion tied to the union must end.
“We are by this statement calling the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who bears statutory and historical responsibility for this development, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Police, DSS, military and all other 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,” Tanko stated.
The group also warned that failure to act could prompt citizens to resort to self-defence, a scenario it said would “invite anarchy.”
The viral video showed Sego addressing supporters in Yoruba, warning: “Anyone who errs in 2027 will be handled. Let them know that the All Progressives Congress is the party you’ll vote for, anybody who refuses to do so will meet us.”
His remarks sparked outrage, forcing the Lagos NURTW boss to honour an invitation by the Department of State Services. After his meeting, he dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign by rival union members.
“I have always been a man of peace, and my messages are directed only to our members. Everyone has the right to associate freely and choose their affiliations, and I fully respect that,” Sego told journalists.
“There is always an enemy in every job, and we know where this is coming from. This is clearly an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW in Lagos State.”
The Obidient Movement, however, insists that Nigeria cannot afford another election tainted by violence.
“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 in the 2027 elections,” the group said, adding that it had placed the international community on notice of “these crimes against humanity and threats to peace.”
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