Criminal Politics: Violence, “Godfathers” and Corruption in Nigeria

thugs loyal to Adedibu while attempting to mediate the dispute between Ladoja and
Adedibu in January 2007. 181 Former Oyo State Governor Victor Olunloyo echoed these
sentiments, adding, “It has always been that way, it was like that when I was
governor.” 182
The Deputy Secretary of one NURTW branch in Ibadan acknowledged his members’
involvement in “politics,” explaining that, “We are supposed to be a separate body
but the way they are playing politics in Nigeria, if you want to be anything you cannot
rule out the godfather system. You must be somehow political. If one is elected they
will want to thank us. 183
Adedibu and Ladoja each supported rival factions of NURTW under two different
leaders. The pro-Adedibu faction was led by Lateef Akinsola, commonly known as
“Tokyo.” In 2003, Ladoja’s Attorney General charged Tokyo with several counts of
murder and kept him in detention without bail for more than two and a half years
while trying to convict him. 184 During Tokyo’s detention Ladoja backed a rival named
Wasilu Adegboyega, commonly known as “Tawa,” to usurp Tokyo’s role.
Tokyo was released from prison in February 2006 under Akala’s watch, just weeks
after Ladoja’s temporary “impeachment.” 185 He immediately moved to reassert his
leadership over NURTW in violent fashion. Tokyo’s supporters, along with other thugs
loyal to Adedibu, took over the car parks by force after violent clashes with
supporters of Tawa’s faction. Several people were injured and at least one killed. 186
Human Rights Watch interviewed one man who said he was attacked with machetes
at the time of Tokyo’s resurgence because he had led NURTW members in a prayer at
the ceremony that had seen Tawa invested as NURTW chairman two years earlier. “I
181 Ibid and see below: Federal Government Complicity.
182 Human Rights Watch interview with Victor Olunloyo, Ibadan, February 8, 2007.
183 Human Rights Watch interview with Alhaji Azan, Deputy Secretary of Egbeda Branch, National Union of Road Transport
Workers, Ibadan, February 7, 2007.
184 Human Rights Watch interview with Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Ibadan, February 9, 2007.
185 Ademola Adeyemo, “Tokyo, Adedibu’s Henchman, Regains Freedom,” This Day, February 3 2006.
186 Ademola Adeyemo, “One Killed as Rival Unions Clash in Oyo,” This Day, February 14, 2007.
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Human Rights Watch October 2007